Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, has called on Ghana's political leaders to approach constitutional and governance reforms with a long-term national perspective. He stressed that these critical changes must rise above immediate partisan interests.
Professor Prempeh cautioned against the common tendency for both governing and opposition parties to evaluate reform proposals based on potential short-term political benefits. He argued that constitutional reforms should be designed to serve the enduring interests of the nation, recognizing the transient nature of political power. Today's ruling party could easily become tomorrow's opposition, making a broad, non-partisan approach essential for stability.
This call comes at a time when Ghana continues to navigate complex economic and political landscapes, with public finance reforms and governance improvements being central to sustainable development. The nation's democratic institutions, while robust, face ongoing challenges that require thoughtful, forward-looking adjustments. Previous efforts at constitutional review have often been stalled or influenced by political considerations, highlighting the importance of Professor Prempeh's message.
Speaking on Accra-based Woezor TV on Sunday, August 2, Professor Prempeh stated, "We must also know that elections have not always favoured the rich. Otherwise, incumbent governments in Africa would never lose power." He rejected the idea that access to state resources automatically guarantees electoral success. History across Africa shows that incumbent governments can be defeated despite significant institutional and financial advantages.
Professor Prempeh suggested that a major obstacle to meaningful constitutional reform is the inclination of political actors to assess proposed changes through their current political circumstances. Governing parties often support reforms they believe will reinforce incumbency advantages. Conversely, opposition parties frequently resist the same proposals, fearing they could be disadvantaged. This short-term approach undermines the development of durable constitutional arrangements that should serve all governments and citizens equally.
He further explained, "I think the reason why we tend to see governments in office always being the ones doing reform is that they think they are going to be the ones benefiting from incumbency." He added, "Then you have the opposition opposing because they think they are going to be disadvantaged because they are in opposition." Professor Prempeh stressed that such calculations are often misguided because political power is inherently temporary.
To reinforce his argument, Professor Prempeh referenced the work of renowned American political philosopher John Rawls. Rawls's theory of justice advocates designing fair institutions without regard to one's own personal interests. He cited Rawls's concept of the "veil of ignorance," which encourages policymakers to imagine they do not know what position they will occupy in society before establishing governing rules. Adopting such an approach would encourage leaders to develop constitutional reforms that are fair, balanced, and sustainable, rather than tailored to benefit the party currently in power.
Professor Prempeh maintained that constitutional reform should not be viewed from the "vantage point" of present political positions. Instead, it should focus on the broader objective of building stronger democratic institutions for future generations. He urged both governing and opposition parties to set aside partisan calculations. They should work towards reforms that promote accountability, fairness, and national development. Reforms should be assessed based on whether they strengthen governance, protect democratic values, and improve the state's long-term functioning.