Remove all references to private associations from Constitution - JoyNews' Kwaku Asante tells Constitutional Review Committee

JoyNews journalist Kwaku Asante has made a significant proposal. He wants the Constitutional Review Committee to remove references to private associations from the 1992 Constitution. This includes groups like the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).

Asante spoke at a committee meeting on May 14. He argued that including private associations in the Constitution contradicts freedom of association. This freedom is already guaranteed by law.

He expressed concern about unfair monopolies created by constitutional recognition. Specific groups, like the GBA, limit representation for other emerging associations.

Asante shared his views with the committee, focusing on media and private associations. He questioned why the GBA is mentioned in the Constitution. If new lawyer groups form, they lack representation on bodies like the Judicial Council.

He suggested that all state bodies should include members from public offices or diverse private associations. Instead of naming specific groups, he proposed referencing broader categories like teacher unions or faith-based organizations.

Asante warned that mentioning specific groups in the Constitution creates a monopoly. It risks making those associations feel like constitutional bodies.