Accra, Ghana//-The Citizens Platform on Constitutional Reform (The Platform), a coalition of 80 citizens, professionals, and academic groups, on Tuesday, 15, September 2026, disagreed with key portions contained in the government’s white paper on the Constitution Review Committee’s recommendations.
According to the Platform, “Our disagreements concern some of the central questions that brought Ghanaians to the constitutional reform process in the first place: the concentration of power in the presidency, the independence of institutions, the accountability of public officers, the protection of public resources, and the ability of citizens to participate meaningfully in government”.
Professor Akosua Darkwah, Chair of the Steering Committee of the Citizens Platform for Constitutional Review, who addressed journalists in Accra on behalf of the 80 citizen groups, noted: “We ask the Government to reconsider its Position to: a. Extend the term of office of the President and Parliament from four years to five years”.
She explained that they believe the four-year term should be retained, particularly because the reforms already accepted on the election date, the transition period and the powers of an outgoing administration address many of the concerns used to justify the extension.
Moreover, if government reconsiders its opposition to proposals to limit presidential power, protect the independence of institutions, and promote inter-branch accountability, the current four-year term will be sufficient.
Prof Darkwah also told the journalists that the Platform reject the proposed framework for limiting presidential appointing powers.
“We believe appointments should be made according to the character of the office, with independent and oversight institutions filled through transparent, competitive and merit-based processes rather than remaining under the broad discretion of the President”.
The NGOs added that they refused to establish the proposed Devolution Commission as an independent constitutional body.
They emphasised that such a Commission is necessary to coordinate fiscal and administrative decentralisation, assess the viability of districts and prepare the country properly for the election of local chief executives.
Make the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives subject to presidential nomination, shortlisting and vetting by institutions under the Executive. We believe the elections must be open and unfiltered, so that every qualified citizen has a fair opportunity to contest, they said.
“Refuse to recognise a constitutional right to meaningful public participation in law-making. We believe Parliament should have a clear constitutional duty to consult the public and give citizens a genuine opportunity to contribute before important laws are passed”, Prof Darkwah said.
The full statement can be downloaded here: file:///Users/masahudu/Downloads/Official%20-%20Final%20Version%20CPCR%20Press%20Address%20-%2015%20September%202026.pdf
