The Constitution Review Committee has officially presented its final report to President John Dramani Mahama, firmly rejecting calls for a third presidential term and proposing wide-ranging reforms to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Presenting the report on Monday, December 22, the Chair of the Committee, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, revealed that nationwide consultations showed no public appetite for a third term for presidents.
“We couldn’t find a place for a third term; nobody really seemed to like it. There was really no demand for it,” Prof Prempeh stated.
Five-Year Presidential Term Proposed
While rejecting a third term, the Committee found broad consensus that Ghana’s current four-year presidential term is too short. As a result, it is proposing a five-year presidential term, arguing that the extension would allow governments adequate time to implement policies effectively without constant election pressures.
The recommendation follows months of nationwide stakeholder engagements and public consultations conducted by the Committee.
Attorney-General Powers to Be Reviewed
A major constitutional reform proposal focuses on the powers of the Attorney-General (A-G). According to Prof Prempeh, the Committee is recommending that some prosecutorial and corruption-related powers be removed from the A-G’s office and transferred to a proposed Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
This restructuring, the Committee believes, would enable the Attorney-General to focus on international arbitration, constitutional interpretation, and major legal matters, while corruption-related prosecutions are handled independently.
“We want to take some of the powers of the A-G and give them to an Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission,” Prof Prempeh explained.
Review of SOE Appointments
The Committee also called for reforms in the appointment process of heads of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), noting the need for greater transparency, professionalism, and accountability in public sector leadership.
Mahama Welcomes Report, Pledges Bipartisan Implementation
Receiving the report at Jubilee House, President Mahama expressed appreciation for the Committee’s work, describing it as a timely and valuable contribution.
“Thank you very much for this beautiful Christmas gift,” the President remarked.
He emphasized that the Committee was deliberately composed to ensure neutrality and broad national acceptance.
“We chose the committee very carefully so that when the report comes, it will be non-partisan. This report has come at the right time, and we will implement it in a bipartisan manner,” President Mahama assured.
Next Steps
President Mahama disclosed that the Committee had earlier briefed him on its preliminary findings three weeks ago and reaffirmed his commitment to making the full report available to the Ghanaian public.
The submission marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s constitutional reform process and sets the stage for national dialogue on governance, accountability, and democratic consolidation.
