As Ghana undertakes nationwide consultations on reforming the 1992 Constitution, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has joined the national discourse with a passionate call for bold reforms that reflect Ghana’s own political and social realities.
In a high-level engagement with the Constitutional Review Committee at Parliament House, Speaker Bagbin underscored the need to depart from wholesale adoption of foreign constitutional models that, in his view, often complicate Ghana’s governance processes.
“We must evolve a constitution that reflects who we are, our aspirations, and our unique political challenges—not just import frameworks that don’t fit our context,” he said.
One of the Speaker’s key proposals was a transition to a proportional representation system, which he believes would enhance inclusivity and reduce the dominance of partisan politics. According to him, such a reform would open doors in Parliament to marginalized groups including youth, women, persons with disabilities, and traditional leaders.
Speaker Bagbin also advocated for stronger regulation of political party financing and greater resourcing for constitutional bodies, particularly the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE). He noted that institutions like the NCCE are vital in fostering civic awareness and strengthening participatory democracy.
The Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, expressed appreciation for the Speaker’s insights and described the meeting as highly productive.
“These are difficult but necessary conversations. We are taking every concern seriously and will reflect them in our final recommendations,” Prof. Prempeh assured.
The engagement is part of broader efforts by the committee to gather expert input and citizen perspectives in shaping what could become Ghana’s most significant constitutional overhaul in decades.
The committee is expected to submit its recommendations in the coming months, marking a critical step toward updating Ghana’s foundational legal framework to better meet 21st-century challenges.
