Constitution Review Commission receives 32,000 submissions

The Constitution Review Commission (CRC) has so far received 32,000 submissions from the public since it begun work, Professor Albert Fiadjoe, Chairman of the CRC has said.

The Commission has been organising public hearings and mini consultations to assess the weaknesses and strengths of the 1992 Constitution for possible amendments.

Addressing the opening of a two-day public hearing at Brong-Ahafo Region in Sunyani on Monday, Prof. Fiadjoe called on Ghanaians to make more recommendations through the offices of the Regional Coordinating Councils, District and Municipal Assemblies, Traditional Councils and offices of the National Commission for Civic Education to the CRC.

After the hearings, the Commission is required to present a draft bill to government for possible amendments to the 1992 Constitution.

Prof. Fiadjoe explained that it was the mandate of the CRC to ensure that all Ghanaians irrespective of their tribe, political and religious inclinations are given the opportunity to interact with the Commission and to bring recommendations on the weaknesses and strengths of the 1992 Constitution.

He expressed appreciation to the people of Brong-Ahafo for demonstrating a high level of enthusiasm in the hearing process and expressed the optimism that the CRC would receive more submissions during the two-day programme.

Prof. Fiadjoe commended the NCCE for its continued support to the CRC in the course of their duties.

Dr Nicholas Amponsah, member of the CRC, reiterated that the Commission “is extremely poised and ready to deliver a product that has the reflective and collective philosophy of all Ghanaians”.

He advised the public to collaborate with the Commission by expressing their views freely to make the exercise a resounding success.

Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Regional Minister, noted Ghana’s uninterrupted two decades of constitutional rule under the Fourth Republic based on the 1992 Constitution.

As a living document, he stressed, the Constitution needs to be periodically reviewed to reflect the dynamics of change in the world in general and Ghana in particular.

He commended the level of dedication and engagement of the Commission and challenged the people in the Region to fully utilize the unique opportunity offered them by actively and positively engaging in the discourse to assist in pushing the country’s democracy and governance to a higher pedestal.

Osahene Kwaku Aterkyi II, Omanhene of Kukuom Traditional Area, who presided, noted with concern that a number of Ghanaians had problems in some Articles of the Constitution, adding, the exercise would pave the way for such people to make their intentions known to the Commission.

He explained that the exercise was a national one devoid of partisan politics and exhorted the participants to ask relevant questions to make the programme successful.

Osahene Aterkyi, who is president of the Regional House of Chiefs, commended government for establishing the Commission, saying the exercise was a clear manifestation of participatory approach in decision making.

Source: GNA