Mr. Rawlings made this known in an interview with journalists after a three hour deliberation with the Commission at its offices on Thursday February 24.
The meeting was part of a special consultation session for past and present officials who worked directly with the 1992 Constitution.
Asked whether he felt the 1992 Constitution has been used enough to warrant a change, Mr. Rawlings said “There is no reason why reviews cannot happen once in a while as a result of changing circumstances. And if there is the need for something to be altered it will be. If there isn’t a need for it will not. But I think the opportunity ought to be created for it and I think this is what has been done” Mr. Rawlings noted.
Mr. Rawlings submitted a written statement for consideration but details of his consultation are not known. Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Raymond Atuguba however said it bordered on how governance in the country could be enhanced.
NPP Flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo has also appeared before the Commission and made his submissions behind closed doors. Authorities explain the meetings are held behind closed doors to allow the leaders freely express themselves about critical national issues.
Apart from his encounter with the commissioners, Mr. Rawlings also submitted a number of written suggestion and amendments to the constitution. Former President Kufuor took his turn a few days ago and also made a number of suggestions.
President Mills was the last to take his turn with the Commission on Thursday at the Osu Castle in Accra.
Details of the meeting are not yet known but it is believed that members of the Commission briefed the President on how far they had gone since their inauguration in January 2010.
President Mills inaugurated the nine-member body headed by Professor Albert Fiadjoe, Emeritus Professor of Law last year, in fulfillment of a pledge in his first sessional address to Parliament.
The Commission has been tasked to review the 1992 Constitution, and has a mandate to operate as a quasi-judicial body for 12 months and not more than 18 months.
The Commission was to ascertain from Ghanaians their views on the operation of the almost 20 year old Fourth Republican Constitution and in particular its strengths and weaknesses to articulate the concerns of the people on amendments that might be required for a comprehensive review and make recommendations to government for consideration and provide a draft Bill for possible amendments to the Constitution.
The 1992 Constitution is Ghana’s fifth constitution since independence after those of 1957, 1960, 1969 and 1979.
The Commission has scheduled March 1-5, 2011 for a National Constitution Conference for the over 75,000 submissions received so far to be tabled for a national debate.
BY: EBENEZER AFANYI DADZIE/CITIFMONLINE.COM
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Rawlings Endorses Possible Changes To 1992 Constitution