The Citizens’ Platform on Constitutional Reform (CPCR) has called on the government to back the implementation of the proposed constitutional reforms with a law that will provide clear timelines, responsibilities and safeguards for the process.
The Platform made the call at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, to present its position on the ongoing review of the 1992 Constitution and the government’s position on recommendations contained in the Constitution Review Committee’s report.
The government published its position paper on the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee on July 30, 2026, after the committee submitted its final report.
The CPCR, which brings together civil society organisations, labour unions, professional bodies and individual citizens, said the constitutional reform process must be open, transparent and inclusive to ensure that the views of Ghanaians are adequately reflected.
The Platform said its first major demand is for the government to introduce a Constitutional Reform Implementation and Roadmap Act to provide a legally binding framework for the implementation of the reforms.
According to the group, the proposed law should clearly define the sequence of reforms, institutions responsible for each stage and timelines for public consultation, preparation of bills, parliamentary consideration, civic education and referenda.
The Platform said previous attempts at constitutional reform had shown that setting up committees and preparing proposals alone was not enough to guarantee implementation.
“Setting up a committee is not enough. Preparing bills is not enough. And announcing a referendum is not enough. Without clear rules, firm timelines and broad national agreement, even the most promising reform process can lose momentum and eventually come to nothing,” the Platform said
It said the roadmap would also help ensure that the reform process continues across elections and changes in government.
CSOs demand broader mandate for implementation committee
The CPCR also called for the mandate of the Constitution Review Implementation Committee to be clearly defined to allow it to facilitate genuine consensus-building.
The Platform said the committee should not simply translate the government’s position into amendment bills but should have the opportunity to consider views from civil society, organised labour, political parties and other stakeholders.
“We are asking that its mandate be openly defined as one of genuine consensus-building, with the authority to recommend changes to the Government’s own positions where the national interest requires it,” it said.
The group further called for broader consultation before bills connected to the constitutional reforms are advanced.
Referendum must allow meaningful choices
The Platform also raised concerns about how the proposed referendum on entrenched provisions of the Constitution would be structured.
It called on the government not to place more than 20 different amendments before voters as one package requiring a single “Yes” or “No” response.
The CPCR said amendments dealing with different issues should be grouped only where they are closely related to ensure that voters can express different views on separate areas of reform.
It also called for referendum questions to be written in plain language to enable voters to understand the changes they are being asked to approve or reject.
Call for funding for civic education
The Platform further urged the government to provide and ring-fence adequate funding for civic education ahead of any referendum.
It said the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should lead the exercise and that adequate resources should be made available well before the referendum.
According to the Platform, citizens need sufficient time to understand the proposed constitutional changes before they are called upon to vote.
“No Ghanaian should be asked to decide the future of the Constitution without a fair chance to understand what is being asked,” the Platform said.
CSOs welcome several government proposals
Despite its concerns, the CPCR said there were several areas in the government’s position paper that it supports.
Among them are proposals for an independent Political Parties Regulatory Commission, regulation of political party campaigns and expenditure, safeguards on the use of certificates of urgency, proportional representation in Parliament and allowing Ghanaians by birth who hold dual citizenship to serve in Parliament.
The Platform also supports giving ordinary Members of Parliament the power to introduce bills, making parliamentary votes of censure binding, restricting actions by an outgoing government during the transition period and establishing an Independent Public Emoluments Commission.
It also supports the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, reforms to presidential election petitions, direct citizen proposals for constitutional amendments, stronger civic education and the abolition of the death penalty.
The Platform said the areas of agreement provide a basis for further national dialogue on the reforms.
Platform disagrees with government on 16 areas
The CPCR, however, identified 16 areas where it disagrees with the government’s position and wants further consideration.
Among them is the proposal to extend the tenure of the President and Parliament from four years to five years.
The Platform said it believes the four-year presidential and parliamentary term should be maintained, arguing that other proposed reforms concerning the election date, transition period and powers of an outgoing administration address some of the concerns associated with the proposed extension.
“We believe the four-year term should be retained, particularly because the reforms already accepted on the election date, the transition period and the powers of an outgoing administration address many of the concerns used to justify the extension,” it said.
The group also called for reconsideration of proposals concerning presidential appointment powers, the simultaneous service of MPs as ministers, the proposed increase in Parliament to 300 members and the establishment of a Devolution Commission.
Other areas of concern include the proposed process for electing MMDCEs, public participation in law-making, the District Assemblies Common Fund, the Democracy Fund, the proposed Public Ethics Commission and the Council of State.
The Platform also wants constitutional protection for the independence of the state-owned media, stronger environmental rights, an independent mechanism for investigating abuses by security services and a long-term national development planning framework.
CPCR to engage government and other stakeholders
The Citizens’ Platform said it would engage the President, opposition leadership, the Constitution Review Implementation Committee and Parliament on its concerns.
It also plans to engage organised labour, professional bodies, civil society organisations and other citizens as part of efforts to build consensus around the reform process.
The Platform said its engagements would be conducted in good faith and with an open mind. The CPCR urged Ghanaians to take an active interest in the constitutional review process and participate in discussions before any referendum is held.
“Our purpose is to ensure that the disagreements we have identified receive serious consideration and that the final reforms emerge from genuine national dialogue.
“Constitutional reform cannot be left only to politicians, lawyers or experts. The decisions being considered will affect every citizen and shape the way our country is governed for many years,” the Platform said.
The group said the process should ultimately reflect the views and aspirations of Ghanaians and urged citizens to follow the proposals, ask questions and make their views known.
