Ghana’s Cabinet is holding its third and final meeting to consider the government’s position paper on proposals to review the country’s 1992 Constitution, Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said on Tuesday.
In a social media post, Kwakye Ofosu said the meeting was underway and would conclude Cabinet’s deliberations on recommendations submitted by the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), chaired by constitutional lawyer Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh.
The CRC presented its final report to President John Dramani Mahama on Dec. 22, 2025, following nationwide consultations aimed at gathering public views on possible constitutional reforms.
The committee was tasked with examining previous reform proposals and identifying areas where Ghana’s constitutional framework could be strengthened.
Among its recommendations are extending the presidential term from four to five years, separating ministerial appointments from parliamentary membership, establishing an independent Emoluments Commission, and reforming the appointment process for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
President Mahama has described the review process as an effort to strengthen, rather than replace, the 1992 Constitution, which has underpinned Ghana’s Fourth Republic since its adoption.
“The 1992 Constitution has served us well. It has been one of our best constitutions and that is what has been the underpinnings of the Fourth Republic,” Mahama said previously.
He added that any amendments should ensure the constitution remains relevant for future generations.
Unlike commissions of inquiry, whose findings require a government white paper, the constitutional review process requires the preparation of a government position paper outlining responses to the committee’s recommendations.
Kwakye Ofosu has indicated that government is expected to adopt some proposals, modify others and reject some based on practical and policy considerations.
Once approved by Cabinet, the position paper is expected to be published to inform the public of the government’s stance on the proposed reforms.
The process will then move to implementation, including the establishment of a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee. The Attorney General and government legal team are also expected to harmonise the position paper with the CRC report before further action is taken.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has said the government has completed its position paper and is expected to present constitutional amendment proposals to Parliament during the current legislative session.
He cautioned lawmakers to prepare for a demanding legislative agenda, as both entrenched and non-entrenched constitutional provisions could be considered for amendment.
Under Ghana’s Constitution, changes to entrenched provisions require approval through a national referendum after consideration by the Council of State, while amendments to non-entrenched provisions require Council of State review and parliamentary approval by the required supermajority.
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations advocating constitutional reform has urged the government to publish a clear implementation roadmap, warning that delays could affect progress as future election cycles approach.
“The window for completing this reform is closing,” the coalition said.
Mahama has pledged that the review process will remain transparent, inclusive and guided by the national interest.
The outcome of Cabinet’s final deliberations is expected to shape the next phase of what could become Ghana’s most significant constitutional reform exercise since the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution.
