Constitutional Interpretation Should Not Derail Ghana’s Constitutional Order – Otumfuo
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stressed the need for constitutional interpretations to protect Ghana’s existing constitutional arrangements and ensure the country’s governance remains guided by the principles of the Constitution.
He said disagreements over the meaning of constitutional provisions sometimes arose because people interpreted the same wording differently, making it important to ensure that such differences do not disrupt the country’s constitutional order.
Otumfuo made the remarks when the Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Edrissa M. O. Faal, accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Mariama Faal, and a delegation from The Gambia and the Ghana Bar Association, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
He observed that even seemingly minor details in the Constitution could become subjects of disagreement during interpretation.
“At times, the interpretation comes from different angles. People will take the word that is in the Constitution like that, but then something like a comma even becomes a challenge,” he said.
The Asantehene said he continued to observe how constitutional matters were interpreted by the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, while maintaining that disagreements over their meaning should not derail the country’s constitutional arrangements.
Although he acknowledged that he was not a lawyer, he said he could read and understand the basic wording of the Constitution and continued to observe how constitutional issues were handled.
He added that he offered advice quietly whenever he observed issues concerning the country’s constitutional arrangements.
“So these are some of the things that we observe and we provide advice quietly,” he said.
Otumfuo said he believed the framers of the Constitution had considered what would best serve Ghana, adding that constitutional interpretation remained an important issue for the country to observe.
Story by: Nafisa Ibrahim
