Omanghana
The Government of Ghana has entered the final stage of its constitutional reform process, with Cabinet convening its third and concluding meeting to review and approve the government’s official position paper on proposed amendments to the 1992 Constitution.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to shape the next phase of constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s democratic governance and modernizing key provisions of the country’s supreme law.
Cabinet Nears Completion of Review Process
Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed that Cabinet is currently holding its final review session after successfully completing two earlier rounds of deliberations.
The meeting was originally scheduled for July 10, 2026, but was postponed to allow government officials to participate in the National Clean-Up Exercise.
According to the minister, the ongoing session is focused on resolving the remaining issues before Cabinet formally adopts the government’s position paper.
President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized that the proposed constitutional amendments are intended to strengthen and modernize the 1992 Constitution while preserving its core democratic principles and ensuring its continued relevance for future generations.
Key Reform Proposals Under Consideration
The government’s position paper is based on recommendations submitted by the eight-member Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), chaired by legal scholar Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh.
Among the major proposals being considered are:
- Extension of Political Terms: Increasing the tenure of both the President and Members of Parliament from four years to five years to promote policy continuity and long-term planning.
- Retention of Presidential Term Limits: Maintaining the existing constitutional limit of two presidential terms while explicitly preventing any future attempt to introduce a third term.
- Lowering the Presidential Age Requirement: Reducing the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 years to 30 years to encourage greater youth participation in national leadership.
- Removal of Presidential Tax Exemptions: Eliminating tax exemptions currently enjoyed by the President as part of efforts to promote fairness and fiscal accountability.
- Capping the Size of Government: Introducing a constitutional limit of 57 ministers to reduce the size of the executive and help control public expenditure.
- Strengthening the Separation of Powers: Preventing sitting Members of Parliament from simultaneously serving as ministers, a move intended to reinforce the independence of the executive and legislative branches.
- Reforming Local Governance: Reviewing the process for appointing or electing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) as part of broader efforts to improve local government administration.
Next Steps
Following Cabinet’s approval, the Attorney General and the government’s legal team will finalize the official position paper by incorporating the agreed proposals.
The completed document will then be submitted, together with the Constitutional Review Committee’s original report, to the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee.
That committee will oversee the next phase of the reform process, including the drafting of legislation, stakeholder consultations, public engagement, and any constitutional procedures required to implement the proposed amendments.
The constitutional review is expected to be one of the most significant governance reform initiatives undertaken in Ghana in recent years, with the proposed changes aimed at enhancing accountability, improving institutional effectiveness, and strengthening democratic governance.
Source: Omanghana
