10 key accusations Martin Amidu levels against Ghana’s constitutional review process

Former Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has serious concerns about Ghana’s constitutional review process.

He criticizes Henry Kwasi Prempeh, the Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee. Amidu accuses him of having a hidden agenda to change entrenched provisions in the Constitution, especially regarding the Council of State.

Amidu believes this review is not about real reform. Instead, it serves partisan interests, supported by ideologically driven think tanks.

Here are 10 key accusations from Amidu's critique:

1. Hidden Agenda
Amidu claims Prempeh uses the review as a cover for personal reforms targeting the Council of State.

2. Reform Advocacy
Prempeh promotes a “middle ground” that keeps the Council but restructures it. Amidu sees this as preparing the public for amendments.

3. Referendum Concerns
Amidu warns that amending entrenched provisions may require a referendum. He believes this is a risky move for the NDC.

4. Political Bias
He questions IEA and CDD-Ghana's neutrality, calling them foreign-aligned NGOs critical of the NDC.

5. Inconsistent Critique
Amidu accuses Prempeh of hypocrisy for leading efforts to weaken an institution he once served on during Kufuor's era.

6. Double Standards
He asserts that Prempeh and his allies criticize NDC appointees for partisanship while ignoring their own ties.

7. Foreign Influence
Amidu alleges foreign interests may influence the review through funding and ideological sway over institutions like CDD-Ghana.

8. Questionable Timing
He suspects that recent pushes for reform benefit the current administration before the 2024 elections rather than serving public interest.

9. Constitutional Undermining
Amidu warns that blurring entrenched and unentrenched clauses weakens constitutional checks and balances.

10. Call for Vigilance
He urges Ghanaians, especially opposition members and civil society, to stay alert against political manipulation in this review process.