Mahama calls for bipartisan approach to implement constitution review proposals
President John Dramani Mahama has described the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee as “revolutionary” and timely for Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking after receiving the final report from the Committee in Accra on Monday, December 22, Mahama said some proposals are radical but necessary to strengthen governance and restore public confidence in democratic institutions.
He noted that several countries in the subregion are experiencing democratic backsliding, making Ghana’s reforms even more important.
“I think that many of the recommendations you’ve made are quite revolutionary. Some are quite radical, but I think it’s in the interest of our democracy,” Mahama said.
“It is important for us to let our citizens know that democratic governance is still better than any other form of governance.”
The President stressed that democratic systems allow citizens to express themselves freely and unlock their creative potential, unlike military or authoritarian systems, where decisions are imposed.
Mahama said his government plans to implement the report in a bipartisan manner, bringing all stakeholders together to adopt as many recommendations as possible.
He highlighted the proposed reforms to the Council of State, noting that giving the council a greater role in presidential appointments would enhance credibility while maintaining the President’s authority to sign appointment letters.
The Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, made several key recommendations to the government. These include extending the presidential term from four to five years, separating the Executive from Parliament, restructuring the Council of State to reflect its 1969 design, and redefining the role of chiefs within local governance.
Other proposals include depoliticising state-owned enterprises, improving public sector appointment processes, splitting the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice into two separate bodies for human rights and anti-corruption, and shortening election campaign periods to give governments more time to govern effectively.
