Prof. Nana Susubribi Krobea Boaten Asante, a renowned constitutional scholar, disagrees with the widespread requests for a constitutional review, claiming that just amending the Constitution's wording will not always lead to better economic conditions for the nation.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic, Prof. Nana Asante, who was the Chairman of the Committee of Experts that developed constitutional recommendations leading to the proclamation of the 1992 Constitution, said the anticipation of a constitutional review had been "exaggerated."
"In my humble opinion, just altering the Constitution won't lead to growth." In actuality, simply changing the constitution's wording won't bring about constitutionalism.
When there existed a liberal constitutional framework, he claimed, economic takeoff "did not happen" in many nations' histories.
Constitutive principles
Prof. Nana Asante, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Asante Asokore Traditional Area, stated that the country should place more emphasis on the values, concepts, and doctrines that form the foundation of the Constitution rather than calling for its wording to be changed.
"I firmly believe that the discussion should center on ideals as well as the Constitution's language and wording." I firmly believe that just altering the wording without doing a thorough analysis of the fundamental principles and values of the Constitution would not get us where we want to go," he stated.
He cited as an example how the issue of political parties rejecting election results and the potential for violence it may cause As there was no constitutional provision regarding this matter, the Constitution needed to be amended.
But, he asserted, if the nation upheld the constitutional principles of trust in the EC and the judiciary, that problem could be readily rectified.
Inculcating constitutional norms and principles is what may halt this or lessen the tension that permeates our elections, he added.
Prof. Nana Asante continued by focusing on the need for a constitutional review to set a limit on the number of Supreme Court judges and ministries the President may appoint, claiming that such an amendment would not fix the issue.
On the topic of restricting the number of ministers, he stated that if that were done, the President could still appoint additional persons, not as ministers but as special assistants to the president.
As a result, he named J.H. Mensah Senior Minister and Mary Chinery-Hesse Chief Advisor.
The answer, he said, "is, therefore, not to impose a cap, but for us to enhance our constitutional ideals to the point that the President would not feel the need to designate multiple ministers.
On the Supreme Court's justice limit, he said that because of its extensive jurisdiction, such a circumstance would make it more difficult for the court to function effectively.
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