Category: Politics / Governance
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to hold a referendum on proposed amendments to Ghana’s entrenched constitutional provisions alongside the 2027 District Assembly elections, saying the move will form part of government efforts to implement recommendations from the Constitution Review Commission.
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghanaians could vote on proposed amendments to Ghana’s entrenched constitutional provisions at the same time as the 2027 District Assembly elections.
The announcement was made during a citizen engagement in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region as part of the President’s Resetting Ghana Agenda tour.
The proposed referendum forms part of the government’s broader constitutional reform programme, which seeks to review aspects of Ghana’s supreme law and introduce changes aimed at strengthening governance and public institutions.
President Mahama said government was preparing to translate recommendations contained in the Constitution Review Commission’s report and the government’s own position paper into specific legislative proposals.The proposals will be divided into two broad categories: entrenched and non-entrenched provisions.
Under Ghana’s constitutional framework, changes to non-entrenched provisions can be considered through Parliament. Entrenched provisions, however, require additional constitutional procedures, including a referendum.
The President explained that the government would establish a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to reconcile the recommendations of the Constitution Review Commission with the government’s position.
The committee will be responsible for studying the two documents and determining the specific constitutional provisions requiring amendment.
According to the President, provisions classified as non-entrenched would be presented to Parliament for consideration and approval.Entrenched provisions would follow the referendum process.President Mahama said the referendum was expected to take place alongside the 2027 District Assembly elections.
This means that voters could be required to make decisions on both local government representatives and proposed constitutional amendments during the same electoral exercise.
The announcement places constitutional reform on the national political agenda and is likely to generate discussions among political parties, civil society organisations, constitutional experts and members of the public.
Constitutional amendments can have long-term implications for how the country is governed because the Constitution establishes the structure and powers of major state institutions.
The President therefore urged Ghanaians to support the reform process while emphasizing that government would follow the constitutional procedures required for amendments.
The proposed referendum will require voters to understand the issues being presented before making a decision.
Public education will therefore become an important part of the process if the reforms move forward.
The President indicated that the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee would play a key role in preparing the reforms.
The committee is expected to examine the recommendations and help determine how the government can translate them into practical legislative proposals.
The constitutional review process follows earlier national discussions about Ghana’s governance system and the need to improve the functioning of public institutions.
Supporters of constitutional reform have argued that periodic review is necessary to ensure that the country’s legal and governance framework remains responsive to changing national circumstances.
However, any proposed amendments will also require careful consideration because constitutional changes can have consequences beyond the immediate political environment.
The referendum requirement provides an opportunity for citizens to participate directly in decisions concerning entrenched constitutional provisions.
President Mahama said the government would proceed through the established constitutional procedures.
He also linked the constitutional review agenda to wider government efforts aimed at strengthening institutions, improving security and creating conditions for national development.
The announcement comes as preparations for the next District Assembly elections gradually become an important issue for local governance.
District Assembly elections provide citizens with an opportunity to choose local representatives who participate in decision-making and development planning at the district level.
Combining the elections with a referendum could place additional responsibility on electoral authorities and voters.The Electoral Commission would be expected to provide information and logistical arrangements for both exercises.
Political parties and civil society organisations are also likely to play roles in educating citizens about the proposed constitutional amendments.
For voters, the key issue will be understanding exactly which constitutional provisions are being proposed for amendment and the implications of approving or rejecting them.The President said the proposed reforms would be presented according to the requirements of Ghana’s Constitution.
Under the process outlined by the President, non-entrenched provisions would be considered by Parliament, while entrenched provisions would be submitted to voters through a referendum.
The government has therefore begun the process of translating the review recommendations into concrete proposals.
The Constitutional Review Implementation Committee is expected to help coordinate this work.The proposed referendum will ultimately give citizens a direct role in determining whether the entrenched provisions identified for amendment should be changed.As the process develops, public debate is expected to increase.
Civil society organisations, legal experts, political parties, traditional leaders and other stakeholders are likely to examine the proposals before the referendum.
For now, President Mahama’s announcement provides a clear indication of government’s intention to pursue constitutional reform and link the referendum to the 2027 District Assembly elections.
The success of the process will depend on transparency, adequate public education and adherence to Ghana’s constitutional requirements.
BY: OPPONG FRIMPONG RICHARD