Ghana will conduct a national referendum on proposed constitutional amendments alongside the 2027 District Assembly elections. President John Dramani Mahama announced this plan during a citizens’ engagement in Bolgatanga. Voters will decide on changes to the 1992 Constitution's entrenched provisions while electing local assembly members.
This decision aims to streamline the amendment process and ensure public participation in significant governance reforms. President Mahama stated that combining the referendum with the District Assembly elections will facilitate the process. The government is preparing to determine which proposed changes require parliamentary approval and which need a national vote.
The initiative fits into Ghana's ongoing efforts to refine its governance framework since the 1992 Constitution's adoption. Previous constitutional review efforts have highlighted areas requiring reform to better suit modern national needs. Linking the referendum to local elections could increase voter turnout for both processes. This approach also reduces the logistical and financial burden of holding separate national polls.
President Mahama confirmed he would soon inaugurate a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee. This committee will review the government’s position paper and the Constitutional Review Commission’s reports. Its task is to synthesize these documents and categorize proposed amendments into entrenched and non-entrenched provisions. This structured approach ensures a clear path for each type of constitutional change.
Amendments to non-entrenched clauses will only require parliamentary approval. These changes can be passed by a vote in Parliament. However, amendments affecting entrenched provisions demand a more rigorous process. These clauses require a national referendum. For such a referendum to pass, at least 40 percent of registered voters must participate. Of those who vote, 75 percent must approve the proposed changes. This high threshold ensures widespread public consensus for fundamental constitutional alterations.
The upcoming referendum will allow Ghanaians to directly influence the foundational legal document governing their nation. This move could reshape aspects of governance, potentially affecting the balance of power or citizen rights. Political analysts will closely watch the committee's work and the public's reception to the proposed changes. The outcome will have lasting implications for Ghana's democratic institutions and future development trajectory. This significant electoral event will test public engagement and the government's capacity to manage complex constitutional reforms effectively.
During his engagement in Bolgatanga, President Mahama also addressed local development requests. The Paramount Chief of the Kologo Traditional Area, Naba Clifford Abagna Tandegrewongrekugre Asobayire V, requested a road construction and a Senior High School. President Mahama directed the Minister of Roads and Highways to ensure the road project's undertaking. He also instructed the Minister of Education to take steps towards establishing the Senior High School. These local commitments highlight the government's dual focus on national reforms and regional development needs.