Constitutional reform is about people, not law

After 12 months of intensive work, the Constitution Review Committee has just completed its final report. And I want to share two insights that have stayed with me throughout this journey.

Insight 1: Constitutional Reform Is About People, Not Law

When we began this work, I expected it to be about articles, amendments, and legal frameworks. And yes, those matter. But what I learned is this: constitutional reform is fundamentally about people.

It’s about creating systems that serve people better. It’s about making governance more responsive to what Ghanaians actually need. It’s about building institutions that work for ordinary citizens, not just for those in power.

Every recommendation we made—from presidential succession to parliamentary accountability to public participation in lawmaking—was driven by one question: “How does this make Ghana work better for Ghanaians?”

That’s the real work of constitutional reform. Not changing words on paper. Changing how power flows. How decisions get made. How people’s voices get heard.

When you approach reform from that perspective—people-first, not law-first—everything shifts. You stop asking “What does the constitution say?” and start asking “What do Ghanaians need?”

Insight 2: Diverse Teams with Patriotic Hearts Make All the Difference

I had the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. Judges and academics. Lawyers, media professionals and civil society leaders. People from different political backgrounds, different professional disciplines, and different life experiences.

And here’s what I learned: when you bring together people with diverse skills, diverse perspectives, and patriotic hearts, you can accomplish remarkable things.

We didn’t always agree. We had vigorous debates. We challenged each other’s assumptions. But we were united by something larger than our individual views: a commitment to Ghana’s future.
That diversity—of thought, of experience, of expertise—made our work infinitely better. It forced us to think more deeply. It prevented us from getting stuck in narrow perspectives. It ensured that our recommendations reflected not just one viewpoint, but many.

And the patriotic hearts? That’s what kept us going through the difficult moments. When the work was challenging. When we had to make hard choices. When we had to prioritise Ghana’s long-term interests over short-term political convenience.

I’ve worked in many settings—in law, in business, in civil society. And I can tell you: there’s nothing more powerful than a team united by a shared commitment to something larger than themselves.

What This Means for You

Whether you’re leading a business, managing a family enterprise, serving on a board, or working in any institution, these insights apply:

First; Focus on people, not just processes. The best governance structures are those designed with people’s needs in mind. The best family constitutions are those that strengthen family relationships. The best business strategies are those that create value for all stakeholders.

Second; Build diverse teams. Surround yourself with people who think differently from you do. Who have different experiences. Different expertise. Different perspectives. That diversity will make your work infinitely better.

Third; Cultivate patriotic hearts. Whether it’s patriotism for your nation, your community, your family, or your organisation—unite your team around something larger than individual interests. That shared purpose is what transforms good work into great work.

The Work Continues

The Constitution Review Committee’s report is now complete. But the real work— implementing these recommendations, building the institutions that serve Ghanaians better, creating a developmental democracy that works for all—that work is just beginning.

And I’m honoured to have been part of this journey. To have worked with such an exceptional team. To have contributed, in some small way, to Ghana’s democratic and institutional future.
If you’re interested in the full report and our recommendations, I’d encourage you to read it. It’s a blueprint for Ghana’s next democratic and developmental phase. And it reflects the best of what we can accomplish when we work together with clear purpose and patriotic commitment.

What does good governance mean to you? How do you build diverse, high-performing teams in your own work? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.