Ghanaian music producer Joseph Appiah, known in entertainment circles as Quick Action, is taking an unconventional step toward civic education by translating and producing the 1992 Constitution of Ghana into audio formats in local languages.
The veteran producer announced plans to present the completed audio version to former President John Dramani Mahama and the Constitution Review Committee, calling for broader support to ensure its nationwide rollout.
Appiah, who has produced music for both local and international artists, believes this initiative will help ordinary Ghanaians understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.
“Almost 90% of Ghanaians cannot access even the fundamental human rights of the Constitution,” he told journalists. “I am a citizen of Ghana, and I believe if the Constitution, which is the mother of all legal documents and practices, is written only in English, it makes many citizens act as if they are not citizens.”
The project, he explained, was conceived years ago out of frustration over the limited accessibility of the Constitution. It has since garnered support from some political leaders, media outlets, and legal professionals. Appiah disclosed that the idea received formal approval from the previous government in 2022.
Now, with former President Mahama preparing for a possible return to office, Quick Action is hopeful the initiative will find a champion in him.
“President Mahama is a listening president, and I know he will ensure the implementation of this initiative,” he stated confidently.
Mr. Appiah stressed that translating and recording the Constitution in major Ghanaian dialects — such as Twi, Ewe, Dagbani, Ga, and others, is critical for deepening democracy and strengthening the rule of law. He believes many Ghanaians are disconnected from the very document that defines their legal identity because of language barriers.
“The sovereignty of Ghana resides with the people,” he said. “We must ensure that the people can understand the laws that govern them.”
At over three decades old, the 1992 Constitution remains Ghana’s most significant legal document, yet large portions of the population have never read it or understood its implications due to literacy and language challenges. Quick Action argues that this initiative could reshape civic awareness by making the Constitution not just readable but audible and relatable.
Beyond music production, Appiah is the CEO of S24 Recording Studio, where the Constitution audiobook was developed. His studio has worked on major advertising campaigns and with international partners, and now aims to use that same expertise to bridge the civic information gap.
The proposal is a timely reminder of the role creative industry players can play in national development beyond entertainment. As Ghana continues its democratic journey, initiatives like these highlight the urgent need to rethink how civic knowledge is distributed in a multilingual society.
With the project ready for submission and attention now shifting to decision-makers like Mahama and the Constitution Review Committee, the ball is in the court of Ghana’s political leadership to determine whether access to the Constitution will finally reach the ears — and languages — of all citizens.
