On Sunday, November 1, Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD‑Ghana), voiced a growing chorus of Ghanaian citizens calling for constitutional reforms. He argued that the current political framework has not delivered the development promised to the populace.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Law, Asante noted that people from all walks of life, including youth, civil society organisations and professionals, increasingly recognise the need to strengthen governance. "I think what is clear if you go around the country is that people want change. Our politics is not delivering the development promise that we want," he said.
The call for change cuts across society. Asante highlighted that youth groups linked to the constitutional reform process are actively engaging students nationwide, and even secondary school students have voiced concerns about the state of governance. "If you even listen to people in secondary schools, they know that what we have is not good," he added.
While acknowledging that Ghana’s current constitution has served the country for more than three decades, Asante said the nation now has a rare opportunity to strengthen it to better meet development needs. "We have at least—it has served us well for over three decades. I think we have a rare opportunity to strengthen it so that it can continue to serve us well," he said.
With 70 years of independence looming next year, Asante believes advancing constitutional reform would be a fitting milestone. "Given that next year will be 70 years of independence, I think it would be a befitting birthday present if we're able to get it past this time around," he said.
The comments arrive as the Citizens’ Platform for Constitutional Reform, launched in November 2025, ramps up efforts to mobilise public support. The platform, which brings together more than 100 civil society organisations and professional groups such as the Trades Union Congress and the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, is led by a 25‑member steering committee chaired by Dr Akosua Darkwa of NETRIGHT.
Asante explained that the platform is educating citizens on the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendations, the government’s position paper and public views on the proposals. He urged that reforms should not be superficial, warning against merely "papering over the cracks." "Citizens of all walks of life want to see change and that's why I really think that if we want to do this, we should do it well and not just paper over the cracks," he said.
As Ghana prepares for its 70th anniversary, the push for constitutional reform signals a broader demand for governance that delivers tangible development outcomes. The next steps will involve further public engagement and a careful review of the proposed changes to ensure they address the nation’s evolving needs.
