Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has called on President-elect John Dramani Mahama to leverage his upcoming one-term presidency to lead transformative constitutional reforms that advance Ghana’s governance and development.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, December 28, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stressed the unique position Mahama holds as a one-term president, free from future political stakes.
“Because he doesn’t have any stake going forward, nobody would accuse him of manipulating the system to satisfy himself.”
“He has a very unique opportunity to take us where we want to get to, to improve our governance and ensure this Constitution becomes development-oriented,” he stated.
Calls for constitutional reforms
His call aligns with the recent submission of a report by the Constitution Review Consultative Committee to outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo, outlining critical amendments to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Originally designed to stabilize the nation during a challenging period, the Constitution now requires updates to address governance gaps and align with current development needs.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu acknowledged the immediate challenges Mahama may face, including forming a cabinet and gaining parliamentary approval for ministers, but suggested the constitutional review process could gather momentum by mid-2025.
“Maybe April, May, or June would be a better time to start the constitutional review process. The first three months, January, February, and March, will be difficult terrain,” he noted.
He emphasized the importance of building consensus among stakeholders and mobilizing public opinion to ensure the reforms receive broad support.
“This is a golden opportunity for President Mahama to leave a lasting legacy by championing a development-oriented Constitution that reflects the aspirations of the people. I believe he cannot afford to miss this occasion,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stressed.
