The Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and prominent member of the Constitution Review Committee, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, has commended chiefs, teachers, and local stakeholders in the Upper East Region for transforming constitutional dialogue into a powerful, grassroots-driven conversation about local development and governance.
Speaking on A1 Radio on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, following a stakeholder engagement in Bolgatanga, Professor Prempeh described the experience as “deeply organic and enriching,” noting that the discussion extended beyond abstract legal jargon to reflect real-world concerns affecting ordinary citizens.
“People didn’t just talk about governance in a general sense,” he said. “They linked the Constitution to school dropout rates, teenage pregnancy, natural resource management, and community livelihoods. These are not just legalistic concerns—they are lived realities.”
Reframing the Constitution as a Tool for Development
Professor Prempeh emphasized that Ghana’s 1992 Constitution must be viewed as more than a legal document. Instead, he called on citizens to see it as a social contract—a framework that shapes the distribution of power, public accountability, and socioeconomic development.
“It’s a social, political, and developmental instrument. The Constitution distributes power, outlines responsibilities, and creates frameworks for inclusive growth,” he explained.
During the dialogue, a local teacher raised an example of how poor governance in the mining sector, particularly the mismanagement of natural resources like gold, has led to male student dropouts, thereby disrupting community stability and even marriage prospects for young women.
“That’s a constitutional matter, too,” Professor Prempeh affirmed. “The governance of resources affects social outcomes and must be addressed within constitutional reform.”
A Citizens-Led Conversation, Not Just Legal Reform
Professor Prempeh lauded the unique approach of community stakeholders, especially traditional leaders and educators, who grounded the discussions in real-life challenges. He noted that participants engaged not as legal scholars but as active citizens whose lives are directly impacted by Ghana’s system of governance.
“These conversations were authentic and profound,” he said. “They reminded us that constitutional review is not just about laws, but about lives.”
A Nationwide Listening Tour for Inclusive Constitutional Reform
The Constitution Review Committee continues its nationwide consultation tour, ensuring that voices from every corner of the country help shape Ghana’s democratic future. The engagement in the Upper East Region sets a strong precedent for how localized conversations can drive inclusive constitutional reforms and foster grassroots democracy.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
