The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for a comprehensive transformation of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. Addressing the increasing disillusionment with democracy, particularly among the youth, Bagbin highlighted the pressing need to overhaul the current constitution to ensure it better serves the country’s development needs.
During a lecture at the University of Ghana, themed “30 Years of Parliamentary Democracy: The Journey Thus Far,” Bagbin expressed concerns over the growing frustrations of young Ghanaians with the democratic system. He referenced findings from the Afrobarometer 2024 report, which revealed that many youths in the country are becoming disenchanted with democracy. This, he warned, poses a significant threat to the nation’s stability and future.
Bagbin noted that the 1992 Constitution, which laid the foundation for Ghana’s democratic journey, has its merits but is also flawed in several key areas. One of the major criticisms he raised was the excessive concentration of power in the executive branch of government, which he believes undermines the balance of power between the different arms of government.
“The foundation of our democracy, the 1992 Constitution, has several flaws. One of the most glaring issues is the excessive executive power. This imbalance has created a system where other branches of government, such as the legislature and judiciary, are often undermined or overshadowed by the executive,” Bagbin stated.
He further explained that while the constitution was primarily designed to ensure political stability, this focus has come at a cost. According to him, the current system, while achieving its goal of maintaining stability, has hindered the broader development of the country. Bagbin suggested that it is time to shift the focus from stability to development, ensuring that governance structures are more accountable, transparent, and effective in fostering progress.
“The focus of the first brains behind drafting this constitution was to achieve political stability. If my guess is right, I must admit we have succeeded in doing just that at the expense of development. We now have to move on to focus on development,” Bagbin remarked.
He argued that the time for reform has long passed, and now what is needed is a complete transformation of the constitution. Bagbin stressed that simply reforming parts of the document would not be sufficient to address the challenges that Ghana currently faces. Instead, he advocated for a total overhaul, stating that many of the constitution’s defects have already had significant negative impacts on the functioning of Parliament.
“I agree with Ghanaians who say that there is nothing to reform. We have to transform everything. This constitution has many defects and the time to fix those defects has been long overdue,” Bagbin stated.
One of the key defects, he pointed out, is the overwhelming power vested in the executive, which has led to a weakening of Parliament’s ability to perform its oversight role effectively. The Speaker argued that without addressing this issue, it will be difficult for Ghana to move forward as a truly democratic nation.
“While the defects are too many, I will just highlight three of them that have impacted the work of Parliament. One is the excessive executive power,” he said, adding that this concentration of authority in the executive arm stifles the development of the other branches of government.
Bagbin’s call for constitutional transformation comes at a time when discussions about governance, democracy, and development are becoming increasingly central to national debates. Many Ghanaians, especially the youth, have expressed concerns about the slow pace of development, unemployment, and corruption, which have eroded trust in the democratic process.
The Afrobarometer report that Bagbin referenced paints a troubling picture of democratic backsliding in Ghana. The report highlights that more and more citizens, particularly young people, are losing faith in democracy as a system of governance. Many feel that the democratic process has not translated into tangible benefits for the majority of the population, leading to a growing sense of frustration.
Bagbin’s speech echoed these concerns, as he urged the government and policymakers to take the necessary steps to revamp the country’s governance structures. He stressed that without meaningful changes, the country risks further alienating its citizens and undermining the very democratic principles that the 1992 Constitution was designed to protect.
The Speaker’s call for action was met with widespread support from many who attended the lecture, as well as from civil society groups who have long advocated for constitutional reform. There is a growing consensus that Ghana’s democratic framework, while successful in maintaining political stability, needs to be updated to reflect the changing needs and aspirations of its people.
As the nation reflects on 30 years of parliamentary democracy, Bagbin’s message is clear: the time for transformation is now. The 1992 Constitution, while instrumental in establishing Ghana’s democratic foundation, must evolve to address the country’s current challenges and pave the way for sustainable development.
In closing, Bagbin reiterated the importance of political will in driving the constitutional transformation process. He urged all stakeholders, including the executive, Parliament, civil society, and the general public, to come together to chart a new course for Ghana’s democracy—one that prioritizes development, balances power among the branches of government, and restores faith in the democratic process.
“We must take up a constitutional transformation,” Bagbin concluded, emphasizing that the future of Ghana’s democracy depends on it.
