Participate fully in constitutional review process - Prof. Fiadjoe

Accra, April 28, GNA - Professor Albert Fiadjoe, Chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) on Wednesday exhorted Ghanaians to participate fully in the review process to make the exercise correspond to the real needs and desires of the people.

"We see this review exercise as nothing but more than a wise and prudent exercise in the nation's life. It is a clear testimony to deepening democracy in Ghana and every Ghanaian must be part of shaping the country's future," he said.

Prof. Fiadjoe made the call at the opening session of the 10th Annual Constitution Week Celebration organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Accra.

This year's celebration is under the theme: "Enhancing Constitutionalism through Effective Citizen's Participation for Good Governance".

He noted that even though the 1992 Constitution had served the count= ry well, there should be an acknowledgement that many had called for the examination of some aspects of the Constitution. "Whether or not such sentiments are justified, I am persuaded that there is the need for a verifiable process to be undertaken which would either confirm the growing call for changes to be made or re-affirm the faith and belief that some have, that the Constitution must be allowed to=

evolve over time," he said.

"Whichever view prevails, I have no doubt in my mind that Ghana wou= ld be the richer for the ongoing review exercise," he added. Prof. Fiadjoe explained that the commission had adopted a consultat= ive strategy to ensure that there was a country-wide consensus on some basic and common understanding of the 1992 Constitution and its operations.

He said the CRC was billed to visit all the regions, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies in the country to educate citizens on t= he operations of the constitution and allow them to express their opinions. "The CRC is collaborating with NCCE to fashion a common approach to reach out to a wide segment of the populace to educate them on their role= s in good governance to sustain democracy, "he said. Prof. Fiadjoe said the consultations had been received with "surprising enthusiasm" in the communities and districts the CRC had so f= ar visited, adding, "reports reaching my desk indicate that people have so f= ar embraced the process". "This can only be indicative of the yearnings of the average Ghanai= an to be part of shaping Ghana's future. What we are witnessing is a vibrant=

engagement of the citizenry in raising and discussing issues about welfar= e and everyday issues of governance," he said. However, he noted that the Constitution could not resolve every iss= ue but that consensus could be reached on the processes to be followed and t= he norms to be applied to achieve resolution of difficult issues. "As a Constitutional Review Commission, we are determined to strain every sinew to reach that threshold of acceptability," he said. Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, Chief Justice, whose speech was=

read for her, entreated Ghanaians to take active interest in the nations'=

constitutional order, by participating in the process without which it wo= uld be difficult to sustain the growth expected to advance the country's democracy. "Our active participation in decision-making is so crucial to the enhancement of transparency and accountability of office bearers that we cannot afford to remain docile," she said. She called on Ghanaians to adhere to tenets of the Constitution, advising custodians of the Constitution not to operate it in a manner tha= t would create the impression that it was a document that favoured only the=

elite in society. "The Constitution should be made acceptable for the benefit of Ghanaians, no matter how lowly placed. It is then that we would all see wisdom to defend it and the democratic process being embarked upon," she said.

Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, Lecturer at Legon Centre for International=

Affairs (LECIA), called for intensive efforts to make the Constitution pa= rt of the daily properties of the citizenry to understand; value and defend it always.