Ghana’s Constitution Review: The Top 10 Recommendations Explained

Ghana’s Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) has submitted a landmark set of proposals aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, democracy, and institutional independence. These recommendations, presented to the President, could significantly reshape how power is exercised and checked under the 1992 Constitution.

This article explains the top 10 CRC recommendations we have sampled from the submitted report:

Ghana's Constitution Review: Top 10 Recommendations

1. Extend Presidential and Parliamentary Terms to Five Years

The CRC recommends extending the term of office for both the President and Members of Parliament from four years to five years. The rationale is to reduce the frequency of elections, lower election-related costs, and allow governments more time to implement long-term development policies.

2. Make Public Lands a National Trust

The Committee proposes reforms that place public lands in trust for the people of Ghana, with enhanced fiduciary responsibility and management oversight by the Lands Commission. The aim is to reduce political interference, improve transparency, and ensure public lands are managed in the national interest.

3. Separate Parliament from the Cabinet

The CRC recommends ending the constitutional requirement that allows the President to appoint Ministers and Deputy Ministers from among Members of Parliament. This reform seeks to strengthen the separation of powers, improve parliamentary oversight of the Executive, and reduce conflicts of interest.

4. Strengthen Independent Constitutional Institutions

The report proposes reforms to appointment processes for key independent bodies to ensure they are transparent, competitive, and merit-based. This recommendation is intended to enhance the credibility, professionalism, and public trust in constitutional institutions.

5. Cap the Number of Ministers

The CRC recommends placing a constitutional cap of 57 Ministers of State, including Deputy Ministers. This is designed to control the size and cost of government, improve efficiency, and reduce public expenditure pressures.

6. Abolish the Death Penalty

The Committee recommends the complete removal of the death penalty from Ghana’s Constitution for all offences. This aligns Ghana with international human rights standards and reinforces the constitutional protection of the right to life.

7. Elect Local Government Leaders Directly

The CRC proposes the direct election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) by the electorate. This reform aims to deepen decentralisation, strengthen local accountability, and give citizens greater influence over local governance.

8. Empower Citizens to Initiate Constitutional Amendments

The report recommends introducing a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment mechanism, allowing citizens to propose amendments subject to defined thresholds and procedures. This expands participatory democracy and reduces exclusive reliance on political actors for constitutional change.

9. Create an Independent Anti-Corruption and Ethics Commission

The CRC recommends establishing an Independent Anti-Corruption and Ethics Commission with exclusive and independent authority to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences. Unlike existing arrangements, this body would combine investigative and prosecutorial powers, insulated from political control, to strengthen Ghana’s fight against corruption.

This recommendation is broader than a single “prosecutor” and is correctly framed as a constitutionally backed commission with prosecutorial mandate.

10. Allow Dual Citizens to Serve in Parliament

The Committee recommends removing constitutional restrictions that prevent dual citizens from being elected as Members of Parliament.This reform reflects modern realities of global mobility and expands the pool of eligible candidates for national leadership.

Conclusion

Taken together, the CRC’s recommendations represent one of the most comprehensive efforts to modernise Ghana’s constitutional framework since 1992. While each proposal will require national debate and legislative action, the package raises fundamental questions about governance efficiency, democratic participation, accountability, and institutional independence.

Whether adopted in full or in part, these recommendations provide a critical foundation for Ghana’s next phase of constitutional reform.