President John Dramani Mahama has praised the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee, calling them “revolutionary” and timely for the growth of Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking after receiving the final report from the Committee in Accra on Monday, December 22, Mahama acknowledged that while some proposals are radical, they are essential for strengthening governance and restoring public confidence in the nation’s democratic institutions.
“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.
He continued, “It is important for us to let our citizens know that democratic governance is still better than any other form of governance.”
The President further stressed that democratic systems offer citizens the freedom to express themselves and unlock their full creative potential, contrasting this with military or authoritarian regimes, where decisions are imposed from above.
Mahama also noted that many countries in the West African subregion are facing democratic backsliding, which makes Ghana’s proposed reforms even more critical.
As for implementing the recommendations, Mahama affirmed that his government plans to proceed in a bipartisan manner, working alongside all relevant stakeholders to adopt as many of the proposals as possible.
One of the notable reforms discussed was the proposed changes to the Council of State, with Mahama highlighting the importance of giving the Council a more prominent role in presidential appointments. He stated that this would enhance the credibility of the process while still allowing the president the authority to sign appointment letters.
The Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, presented several key recommendations, including
1.Extending the presidential term from four to five years.
2. Separating the Executive from Parliament.
3. Restructuring the Council of State to reflect its 1969 design.
4. Redefining the role of chiefs within local governance.
Other proposed reforms include depoliticising state-owned enterprises, improving public sector appointment processes, splitting the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) into two separate entities—one for human rights and the other for anti-corruption—and shortening election campaign periods to provide governments with more time to govern effectively.
About the Author
