Oliver Barker-Vormawor Urges President Mahama to Guide Constitutional Reform Implementation

Life Pulse Daily | December 27, 2025

Introduction

The process of constitutional reform in Ghana has reached a critical juncture. Following the submission of the final report by the Constitution Review Committee (CRC), the conversation has shifted from analysis to action. In a recent appearance on Newsfile on JoyNews, political activist and rights consultant Oliver Barker-Vormawor issued a compelling call to action. He urged President John Dramani Mahama to take a personal, supervisory role in the implementation phase of these reforms.

Barker-Vormawor argues that for constitutional reform to become a lasting legacy of the Mahama administration, the President must move beyond mere endorsement to active stewardship. This article explores the nuances of his advice, the current status of the constitutional review, and the practical steps required to transform recommendations into binding law.

Key Points

Background

Constitutional review in Ghana is not a new endeavor. Historically, the nation has engaged in various efforts to refine its 1992 Constitution to reflect evolving democratic needs. The Constitution Review Committee (CRC), chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, was tasked with a comprehensive assessment of the current legal framework.

The CRC Mandate

The CRC’s primary objective was to identify gaps in Ghana’s democratic framework and governance institutions. After months of research and public engagement, the committee submitted its final report to the Presidency. This document contains a roadmap for strengthening governance, human rights protections, and state accountability.

The Current Political Climate

Oliver Barker-Vormawor’s comments come at a time when the transition of power and the continuity of state projects are under scrutiny. The specific context of his appearance on December 27, 2025, highlights the urgency of moving from the “report stage” to the “action stage” before the political cycle shifts again.

Analysis

Barker-Vormawor’s intervention is pedagogical in nature; it serves as a lesson in governance mechanics. He highlights a common pitfall in political reform: the “implementation gap.” This gap occurs when a government agrees to recommendations but fails to allocate the political capital and administrative energy required to pass them into law.

The Danger of Partisan Echo-Chambers

One of the most astute observations made by Barker-Vormawor is the risk of “partisan echo-chambers.” In many parliamentary systems, constitutional amendments are viewed through the lens of short-term political gain rather than long-term national benefit. By suggesting that Parliament forms a dedicated committee to study the document, he advocates for a technocratic approach to lawmaking. This ensures that MPs understand how the reforms “liberate” Parliament, rather than viewing them as a threat to the status quo.

Institutional Memory as a Strategic Asset

His emphasis on retaining the existing CRC members in an implementation capacity speaks to the value of institutional memory. Disbanding a committee after a report is submitted is standard practice, but often inefficient. The original members possess the context, the rationale behind specific recommendations, and the relationships built during the review. Barker-Vormawor argues that discarding this expertise would force the new implementation team to start from scratch, delaying reform by years.

Practical Advice

To bridge the gap between the CRC report and actual constitutional change, several practical steps must be taken. These steps align with Barker-Vormawor’s vision for a collaborative and efficient process.

1. Establish a Presidential Implementation Task Force

President Mahama should immediately establish a task force reporting directly to the Presidency. This body should not be a duplicate of the CRC but a distinct entity focused on logistics, legal drafting, and parliamentary liaison.

2. Engage Technical Drafting Experts

Policy ideas are distinct from legal language. To ensure the proposed amendments are watertight and legally sound, the state must engage legislative drafters and potentially international partners. This prevents vague wording that could lead to future litigation.

3. Create a Parliamentary Select Committee

Parliament must move early to form a bipartisan Select Committee on Constitutional Reform. This committee should begin studying the CRC report immediately, holding public hearings to build consensus before the bills are formally laid on the floor.

4. Public Communication Strategy

As Barker-Vormawor noted, “Showing all the right signals” is important. The Presidency must communicate the roadmap clearly to the Ghanaian public. Transparency regarding the timeline and the specific changes being sought will reduce public skepticism and misinformation.

FAQ

Conclusion

Oliver Barker-Vormawor’s call to President Mahama is more than a political critique; it is a strategic blueprint for successful governance. The transition from the Constitution Review Committee’s report to actual constitutional amendment is a complex journey requiring political will, technical expertise, and bipartisan cooperation. By urging the President to take the driver’s seat and ensuring that Parliament and international experts are brought into the fold, Barker-Vormawor is advocating for a reform process that is not only successful but enduring. The coming months will determine whether these recommendations become the “enduring legacy” he hopes for, or merely a document gathering dust on a shelf.