Accra, April 13, 2026 — Kofi Quashigah has advised policymakers to adopt a gradual and structured approach to constitutional amendments, cautioning that attempts at sweeping reforms could face significant legal and practical hurdles.
Speaking at a policy dialogue in Accra, he pointed to the rigidity of entrenched provisions under Article 290 of the Constitution, which he said imposed demanding procedural requirements that limit rapid or extensive changes.
The forum, organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance in partnership with Oxfam, examined pathways for strengthening Ghana’s constitutional amendment processes.
Prof. Quashigah noted that while targeted amendments to non-entrenched clauses may be achievable, broad reforms spanning multiple constitutional areas would be difficult to complete within a single political cycle.
He argued that a piecemeal reform strategy would minimise disruption and allow institutions to adapt progressively, rather than triggering unintended consequences within the governance system.
The constitutional law scholar further indicated that recurring public demands for reform reflected deeper governance concerns, suggesting that constitutional review should be treated as a continuous process rather than a one-off exercise.
To address this, he proposed the establishment of permanent institutional mechanisms to oversee amendments and ensure sustained public engagement.
Citing international examples, he recommended periodic constitutional reviews within defined intervals to keep the legal framework aligned with evolving national priorities.
The dialogue brought together academics, civil society actors, political party representatives, and youth groups to deliberate on legal and institutional safeguards for constitutional reform.
GHBUSS
April 13, 2026
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