Former Deputy Director‑General of the Ghana Education Service and spokesperson for the New Patriotic Party’s Policy Committee on Education, Dr Kwabena Bempah Tandoh, called on the government to keep the constitutional review process open to citizens and stakeholders.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 12, Dr Tandoh said that the exercise would only secure broad public acceptance if people are given sufficient opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel that their views are being considered.
He warned that the government should not “close the door” on the matter and that extensive conversations are needed if the wider population is to take ownership of the process. “Most importantly, this is a very important exercise, and if you need the larger population to really join this exercise, you need to be able to let them feel that you listen to them,” he added.
Dr Tandoh described the review as a national exercise that requires participation beyond political actors and government institutions. He said that keeping the consultation process open would allow stakeholders to scrutinise proposed changes, raise concerns and offer alternative ideas before any reforms are finalised.
The comments come amid a broader debate over governance and political influence in Ghana’s public institutions. The government has rejected a reported 54 per cent figure on the politicisation of State‑Owned Enterprises, while the International Monetary Fund has raised concerns about political influence in the management of such entities.
Ensuring that citizens feel heard, Dr Tandoh said, would be critical to securing the broad public participation and legitimacy needed for what he described as a significant national exercise. The government is urged to maintain an open approach and avoid treating the review as a concluded matter.
