Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has expressed optimism about amending the country’s constitution, citing the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) two-thirds majority in Parliament as a key factor. Mahama believes this majority will enable the party to push through long-awaited constitutional reforms.
The proposed amendments aim to enhance Ghana’s governance framework, addressing issues such as:
– Separation of Powers: Enhancing Parliament’s watchdog role by separating the executive and legislative branches through amendments to Article 78.
– Local Government Reforms: Electing Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and ensuring political party participation at the local level through amendments to Articles 55(3) and 243(1).
– Judicial Reforms: Appointing the Chief Justice and Superior Court judges through a more transparent process, potentially involving a two-thirds parliamentary majority approval.
– Electoral Commission: Appointing electoral commission leaders through a two-thirds majority in Parliament to reduce executive influence.
– Police Service: Appointing the Inspector General of Police for a fixed term with security of tenure and making the Police Council independent of the presidency.
Mahama has already inaugurated a Constitutional Review Committee to identify gaps and propose amendments to the 1992 Constitution. The committee’s work will focus on enhancing democratic governance and addressing longstanding challenges.
While Mahama’s intentions have sparked debate, some Ghanaians support the proposed amendments, citing the need for reforms to promote transparency, accountability, and efficiency in governance. Others, however, remain skeptical, worrying about potential implications for Ghana’s democracy.