Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh is the Right Choice to Chair the Constitutional Review Committee—Reject Partisan Attempts to Undermine Him

On January 27, a group calling itself the United Movement for Development (UMD) petitioned President Mahama to remove Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh as Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee and replace him with retired Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba. Their primary contention was that Prof. Prempeh is a supporter of LGBTQI rights, alleging that his stance on human rights, including those of LGBTQI individuals, is incompatible with his current role. However, they failed to present substantive evidence beyond citing his personal and academic perspectives. Prof. Prempeh’s impeccable record speaks for itself, rendering these accusations baseless and an attempt at political manoeuvring. The call for his removal appears to be a veiled partisan effort to install Justice Atuguba, a known National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathiser, which does not serve the interests of Ghana’s democracy.

The petition, spearheaded by Abraham Klutsey on behalf of UMD, operates on a flawed premise: that individuals who hold opinions different from theirs should be excluded from active participation in governance. This is a dangerous precedent that threatens the very essence of democracy and free speech. A functioning democracy thrives on diversity of thought, and excluding qualified individuals based on ideological differences undermines the principles of fairness and open discourse. Governance should not be limited to those who share a single perspective; instead, it should embrace individuals with a range of ideas who can contribute meaningfully to national progress.

The criticisms against Prof. Prempeh’s leadership of the Constitutional Review Committee are based on distortions and misrepresentations of his publicly expressed views. His critique of the ‘spoils system’ in governance is a significant point of contention. Contrary to his detractors claim, Prof. Prempeh has been a vocal opponent of corruption and political patronage. He has consistently championed meritocratic governance and accountability in public service. In a Facebook post on July 1, 2017, he stated:

“We must end partisan political appointments of CEOs and management of our public sector corporate organizations. The time for a board-led open, competitive, and meritocratic recruitment, selection, and succession process for top management is long overdue. If we don't change what’s wrong about how Ghana is run, who else will? The wholesale spoils system must go. It creates huge distortions at the micro levels of our economy, including poor accountability and wastage of professional talent, that continue to burden and undermine the macro economy and national development. This is no way to build or develop a country in the 21st century.”

These are the words of a leader committed to good governance and national progress, not an advocate of corruption or favouritism.

Additionally, claims that Prof. Prempeh has pushed for seven so-called “special privileges” for LGBTQI individuals, including access to women-only spaces, participation in women’s sports, and LGBT education in schools, are entirely unfounded. These issues have been contentious topics in other jurisdictions, particularly in the U.S., but they are not central to Ghana’s policy debates. There is no record of Prof. Prempeh advocating for these privileges in Ghana, and it is misleading to attribute such positions to him based on assumptions rather than facts.

The real reason behind the opposition to Prof. Prempeh’s leadership seems to be his stance against the Anti-LGBT Bill. However, holding a dissenting opinion on this bill should not disqualify a person from public office. Democracy is built on the principle of debate and dissent, and the attempt to silence individuals who express opposing views directly attacks democratic values. If the Anti-LGBT Bill enjoys overwhelming public support, as its proponents claim, then a single dissenting voice should not be considered a threat to the stability of Ghanaian society. A genuinely democratic nation welcomes independent critical thought, not intolerance and exclusion.

There is a fundamental difference between advocating for or championing “LGBTQ rights” and speaking out against the misuse of legislation and state power to dehumanise, target, and criminalise individuals simply because they are sexual minorities or are tolerant of them. Prof. Prempeh has not campaigned for any special privileges for LGBTQ individuals; instead, he has opposed policies that unfairly infringe on human dignity and individual freedoms. Defending the rights of marginalised groups does not equate to endorsing any particular lifestyle, and it is a commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring that all Ghanaians are treated fairly and respectfully under the law.

President Mahama must allow the Constitutional Review Committee to proceed with its work under Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh's capable leadership. His track record, expertise, and commitment to national development make him the ideal person for the role. Justice Atuguba is a respected figure in his own right, but there are numerous other areas where his experience can be beneficial. Ghana faces many challenges, and we must leverage the talents of as many capable individuals as possible to build a stronger and more inclusive democracy.

Isaac Ofori
Social Activist and Human Rights Advocate
[email protected]