Former Special Prosecutor and respected legal figure Martin Amidu has expressed serious concerns regarding Ghana’s ongoing constitutional review process.

In a scathing critique, he accuses Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Chairman of the Constitutional Review Committee, of pushing a covert agenda to alter entrenched provisions in the Constitution, particularly those related to the Council of State.

Amidu argues that the review is not a genuine effort at reform but a partisan maneuver, allegedly supported by ideologically driven think tanks.

Here are 10 key accusations from Amidu's explosive write-up:

Hidden Agenda Behind the Review

Amidu claims Henry Kwasi Prempeh is using the constitutional review as a smokescreen to advance personal reforms targeting the Council of State, under the guise of national interest.

Advocacy for Restructuring, Not Abolition

He alleges that Prempeh promotes a “middle ground” approach that preserves the Council of State but restructures it, what Amidu sees as psychological groundwork to justify constitutional amendments.

Preparation for a Referendum?

Amidu warns that the ultimate goal may be to amend entrenched clauses, a move that would require a national referendum, a political gamble he argues the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) cannot afford to lose.

Questioning the Neutrality of IEA and CDD-Ghana

He casts doubt on the impartiality of think tanks like the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), describing them as foreign-aligned and historically critical of the NDC.

Prempeh’s Inconsistent Stance

Amidu accuses Prempeh of hypocrisy, noting that while he once served under the Council of State during the Kufuor administration, he now leads efforts to restructure or diminish that same body.

Double Standards on Partisanship

He alleges that Prempeh and his civil society allies often criticize NDC-linked appointees for partisanship while overlooking similar affiliations within their own circles.

Foreign Influence Alleged

Amidu contends that foreign interests may be swaying the constitutional review through funding and ideological influence on institutions like CDD-Ghana, potentially steering Ghana’s democratic evolution.

Timing and Motivation Under Scrutiny

He questions the sudden urgency of the review, suggesting it is strategically timed to benefit the current government or its allies ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Undermining Constitutional Safeguards

Amidu argues that blurring the line between entrenched and unentrenched clauses dilutes the Constitution’s integrity and weakens its system of checks and balances.

Call for National Vigilance

He concludes with a strong appeal to Ghanaians particularly the opposition and civil society groups to remain vigilant and ensure that the constitutional review does not become a backdoor for political manipulation.