As Ghana continues the national dialogue on constitutional reform, the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Coast hosted the 12th edition of its flagship programme, the Jurists’ Confab, under the theme: “Rewriting the Rulebook: Constitutional Reform in Ghana.”

The legal symposium, brought together prominent legal scholars, academics from other disciplines, judges, policy analysts, civil society, law enforcement, lawyers, state attorneys and law students to engage in a dialogue on the future of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

This year’s panel featured a line-up of thought leaders. 

Key among them were Professor Takyiwaa Manuh, a renowned academic and gender advocate with decades of experience in governance and human rights.

In her presentation titled “Enhancing the Rules of the Game”, Prof. Manuh highlighted critical gaps in the Constitution, especially the limited reference to the Directive Principles of State Policy. She criticised the excessive concentration of executive power and the lack of transparency in public appointments. She also called for the reform of advisory bodies like the National Development Planning Commission and advocated for environmental protections to be enshrined constitutionally, particularly to safeguard non-renewable resources like gold.

Joining her was Mr. Bright Simons, Vice-President of the policy think tank IMANI Centre for Policy and Education.

Known for his critical commentary on governance and institutional reform, Simons explored the dynamic interplay between politics, policy, and constitutional law. He emphasised that constitutions are the result of viable political and policy decisions and cautioned against equating public voice with effective systemic reform. Simons called for a clear framework to distinguish policy from constitutional mandates and emphasised the need for technocratic consensus and long-term policy commitment to achieve meaningful reform.

Also on the panel was Mrs. Clara Kasser-Tee, a lawyer, an academic and Chair of the  2023 Constitution Review Consultative Committee.

Drawing on her experience in the constitutional review process, Mrs. Kasser-Tee acknowledged the resilience of the 1992 Constitution, having withstood political transitions, the death of a sitting president, and changes in key leadership.

However, she questioned whether Ghana’s governance challenges stem from constitutional flaws or from issues of implementation. While affirming the need for constitutional amendments, she cautioned that reform alone cannot resolve all systemic issues.

Over the years, the Jurists’ Confab has become a unique platform bridging legal academia and real-world practice. It offers law students and the broader university community a rare opportunity to engage directly with practitioners and thinkers shaping Ghana’s legal and political landscape.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mrs. Julia Selman-Ayetey, Convener of the Confab and Dean of the Faculty of Law, UCC, said “this year’s Confab is more than an academic exercise. It’s a civic duty. As a law faculty, we believe we have a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the national conversation on constitutional change. We are proud to host voices that represent both critical thought and practical experience.”

The event aligns with broader national efforts to review the 1992 Constitution with an emphasis on public input. With growing calls for a more accountable, inclusive, and future-oriented constitution, the Jurists’ Confab 2025 came at a pivotal moment in Ghana’s political evolution. 

As debates on the separation of powers, decentralisation, and civic responsibility dominate public discourse, the Confab stands as a vital contribution to shaping the next chapter of Ghana’s democratic governance.