Former Chief Justice Sophia Abena Boafoa Akuffo has publicly challenged former President Nana Akufo-Addo's assertion that Ghana's 1992 Constitution requires no review. Akufo-Addo, in his final State of the Nation Address on January 3rd, 2025, declared the Constitution a perfect document, citing its three-decade service to Ghana's democracy.
However, Justice Akuffo, in an interview on JoyNews on January 7th, 2025, argued for a more flexible and adaptable approach. She emphasized the Constitution's nature as a "living document," requiring periodic updates to remain relevant and address contemporary challenges. She stated, “I’ve never agreed with the former president that the Constitution is so perfect that it doesn’t need to be reviewed…The Constitution…has to be nursed, nurtured, tweaked, and massaged. From time to time, we must take a look to see whether it continues in every respect to suit the current day purposes.”
Justice Akuffo underscored the importance of constitutional review within a constitutional democracy, refuting the notion that amendments diminish the document's credibility. She firmly supports President Mahama's call to revisit the work of the constitutional review commission, noting the abrupt halt to its progress. She expressed agreement with the need to implement proposals that would better serve the current needs of the Ghanaian people.
Justice Akuffo further highlighted the obsolescence of certain constitutional provisions after more than three decades of use, stating, “We need to acknowledge that there are certain parts that are not working the way we had anticipated…There are ways it can be better.” Her comments represent a significant challenge to the former president's position and add weight to the growing calls for constitutional reform in Ghana.
0 Comments