Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has urged President-elect John Mahama to use his one-term presidency to initiate critical reforms to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, calling it a unique opportunity to enhance governance and development.
Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasized that Mahama’s one-term mandate allows him to approach constitutional reforms without concerns about political self-interest.
“Because he doesn’t have any stake going forward, nobody would accuse him of manipulating the system to satisfy himself. He has a very unique opportunity to take us where we want to get to, to improve our governance and ensure this constitution becomes development-oriented,” he stated on December 28.
The call follows the recent submission of the Constitution Review Consultative Committee’s report to President Akufo-Addo. The report proposes several significant amendments aimed at modernizing Ghana’s governance framework and aligning it with the nation’s developmental needs.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu noted that the 1992 Constitution served its purpose during Ghana’s transition from political instability but emphasized that the current focus must shift toward reforms that promote long-term national progress.
He acknowledged the demanding nature of the first few months of Mahama’s presidency, which will involve appointing cabinet members, obtaining parliamentary approval for ministers, and preparing the national budget.
“The first three months, January, February, March, will be difficult terrain. But after that, maybe April, May, or June would be a better time to start the constitutional review process,” he advised.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu highlighted the importance of consensus-building among stakeholders and public engagement to ensure the success of the reform process.
“I agree with what Barker-Vormawor said about keeping the issues on the front burner. We need to mobilize public opinion to carry the reforms forward,” he noted.
He concluded by urging Mahama to embrace this historic opportunity to leave a lasting impact by championing reforms that reflect the aspirations of Ghanaians.
“This is a golden opportunity for President Mahama to leave a lasting legacy by championing a development-oriented Constitution that reflects the aspirations of the people. I believe he cannot afford to miss this occasion,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said.
The call for constitutional reforms under Mahama’s leadership underscores the potential for transformative changes to Ghana’s governance system, with the ultimate goal of fostering national development.
