By Iddi Yire
Accra, Jan 26, GNA – Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director, Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has extended gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for appointing him as Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee.
In a statement, which was made available to the Ghana News Agency, Prof Prempeh said: “I salute H.E. John Dramani Mahama for his bold and statesmanlike step in appointing me, a non-NDC member and a known critic of his last Government, to chair the just-announced Constitution Review Committee – hopefully, the last such body on the long road to reforming the 1992 constitution.
“That as well as the overall membership of the committee, signals to me a good faith commitment on the President’s part to move forward with the constitutional reform agenda as part of his pledge to reset governance.”
Prof Prempeh welcomed the opportunity to help advance the national cause.
“Interestingly, the last time I met or talked with H.E. President Mahama was 2019 in Harare, Zimbabwe, when, as former president, he headed a Commonwealth delegation to monitor the general elections in that country and I was there as an election observer. I have not seen or talked with him directly since.”
He said he was informed earlier of President Mahama’s intentions regarding his appointment and the Committee by the Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine; saying, “I am humbled.
“I thank the President for the trust reposed in me by this national assignment and can assure him that I, with my committee, will, as always, put the country first, above all else, and assist him as best as we can, within the limits of our mandate, to advance the constitutional reform project in pursuit of good governance and inclusive development for our dear country,” Prof Prempeh stated.
He reiterated that he had not quit his day job at CDD.
“This is a “responsibility” appointment, not a “reward” appointment. So don’t salivate or get green-eyed… No contracts or galamsey concessions,” he said.
“And, of course, ignore the usual suspects. We’ve got more substantial matters to worry about,” the statement added.
GNA