Bipartisan committee gives hope for successful constitutional reforms – Sulemana Braimah

The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has expressed confidence that the newly constituted 11-member committee to implement the country’s proposed constitutional reforms will successfully oversee the implementation. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 29, Mr Braimah said his optimism largely stemmed from the committee’s bipartisan composition. According to him, the inclusion of individuals from across the political divide could foster consensus and ensure that the implementation process serves the broader national interest rather than partisan considerations.

“I am happy with the team that has been put together. The bipartisan nature of it, I think, gives some hope that this time around, we will have the process go through,” he said. He expressed hope that members of the committee would rise above their political affiliations and work collectively to implement the recommendations produced through the constitutional review process.

The Attorney General recently constituted an 11-member committee to oversee the implementation of the recommendations in the report submitted by the Constitutional Review Committee. READ ALSO: AG inaugurates 11-member committee to implement Ghana’s proposed constitutional reforms Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, has expressed confidence in Ghana’s renewed constitutional reform process, saying he believes the newly inaugurated 11-member implementation committee can successfully carry out its mandate.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Mr Baidoo acknowledged that previous efforts to implement constitutional reforms had faced court challenges, but said such experiences should not create fear around the current process. “I sincerely believe that this would work,” he said, adding that lessons could be learnt from the court processes filed against the previous implementation committee. Mr Baidoo stressed that the reform process should not intimidate anyone, particularly those who may have legitimate concerns about how the recommendations are implemented.

“We hope, we pray, that is not to put any fear in anyone. If anybody thinks that something untoward has happened, [they can] go to court,” he said. His comments come as the Constitution Review process enters a new phase following the government’s inauguration of an 11-member committee to begin work on implementing recommendations from the Constitution Review Committee.

For Mr Baidoo, the possibility of legal challenges should be seen as part of Ghana’s democratic and constitutional safeguards rather than a reason to halt the process. The success of the exercise, however, will depend on more than the work of the committee. It will require transparency, public confidence, broad consultation and strict adherence to the constitutional procedures governing amendments.