A civil society platform advocating constitutional reforms has called on the government of President John Dramani Mahama to urgently publish a clear roadmap with timelines for implementing recommendations contained in the report of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC).
At a meeting held on June 8, 2026, the platform urged the President and his administration to formally outline the next phase of the constitutional review process, including implementation mechanisms, legislative procedures, referendum timelines, civic education programmes, public consultations and citizen participation strategies.
The platform also announced plans to seek meetings with President Mahama, the Speaker of Parliament, leaders of both the Majority and Minority caucuses, the Chairman of the Council of State and leaders of political parties to discuss the way forward for the reform agenda.
According to the group, the CRC, chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, submitted its full report to the President on January 26, 2026, following extensive nationwide consultations that engaged citizens across all regions and social backgrounds.
While the publication of a summary of the report received widespread public support, the full report is yet to be made public more than four months after its submission.
The platform noted that government subsequently announced that the President would chair a special Cabinet meeting to consider a draft position paper prepared by the Attorney-General and the President’s legal team. The objective, it said, was to finalize government’s position on the committee’s recommendations.
Although reports have since suggested that government intends to submit amendment bills to Parliament on some proposals, including the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), the platform expressed concern that no comprehensive implementation framework has been presented to the public.
It warned that delays could jeopardize the reform process, particularly as the country moves closer to future election cycles.
“The window for completing this reform is closing,” the platform stated, adding that continued delays could reduce the realistic time available to pass constitutional amendments before political campaigning dominates the national agenda.
The group pointed out that Ghana’s constitutional amendment process is procedurally rigorous. Under the Constitution, both entrenched and non-entrenched amendment bills must be published in the Gazette for at least six months before being introduced in Parliament.
Entrenched provisions must further undergo review by the Council of State and receive approval through a national referendum, while non-entrenched provisions require Council of State review and parliamentary approval by a supermajority.
Given these requirements, the platform stressed the need for immediate preparatory work to ensure that reforms are completed within a reasonable timeframe.
The organisation described the constitutional review exercise as a timely opportunity to reset democratic governance and strengthen state institutions.
It expressed support for proposals aimed at improving the effectiveness of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary reducing excessive partisanship, enhancing accountability, strengthening anti-corruption institutions, democratising political parties and expanding citizen participation in governance.
Among its key demands, the platform called for the immediate publication of the full CRC report, the release of a detailed implementation roadmap, the establishment and inauguration of an implementation body, and a clear explanation of how government’s position on the committee’s recommendations will be communicated and subjected to public scrutiny.
It further requested a legislative and referendum calendar in accordance with Articles 289 to 291 of the 1992 Constitution, as well as a framework for sustained public engagement, civic education and consensus-building.
The platform also appealed to political parties to adopt a cross-party compact that would commit them to agreed reform timelines, constructive engagement on amendment bills and a referendum campaign code of conduct that places national interests above partisan considerations.
Reaffirming its readiness to support the process, the platform pledged to assist with civic education, technical expertise and public engagement efforts throughout the reform exercise.
It also called on the media, faith-based organisations, academic institutions, professional bodies, traditional authorities, women, youth groups and all citizens to remain actively involved.
“The Constitution belongs to the people of Ghana and its renewal must be completed in their name and within their sight,” the platform stated.
For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z
