NPP and Civil Society Groups Demand Constituent Assembly and Legal Roadmap for Ghana’s Constitutional Review

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has formally rejected the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration's approach to amending the 1992 Constitution, characterizing the current process as a fundamental “rewriting” of the nation’s supreme law. Led by Policy Committee Chairman Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and MP Sulemana Tampuli Alhassan, the NPP argues that the government’s acceptance of recommendations to alter 147 of the 299 articles—nearly 50 percent of the document—requires a broader national consensus. The opposition party is demanding the immediate establishment of a legally backed Constituent or Consultative Assembly to deliberate on these changes, warning that without a platform for diverse stakeholder involvement including organized labor and professional bodies, the party will oppose any upcoming referendum initiated by President John Mahama’s government.

Central to the brewing political conflict are several contentious proposals accepted by the Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC). The NPP and legal experts, including former Ghana School of Law Director Kwaku Ansa-Asare, have voiced strong opposition to extending the presidential term from four to five years. Opponents argue that the current four-year mandate ensures regular democratic accountability and that an extra year could facilitate the misappropriation of state resources. Furthermore, the NPP has dismissed proposals to increase parliamentary seats from 276 to 300 and has rejected lowering the presidential eligibility age to 30 or 35, asserting that the existing age requirement of 40 has served the country well. However, a point of rare alignment exists regarding the separation of powers; the NPP supports constitutional amendments to bar Members of Parliament from serving as Ministers or sitting on public boards to enhance legislative oversight.

Parallel to the partisan debate, the Citizens’ Platform on Constitutional Reform (CPCR) and other civil society organizations (CSOs) are calling for a transparent, legally binding roadmap to safeguard the integrity of the reforms. Chairperson Prof. Akosua Keseboa Darkwah has urged the government to pass a Constitutional Reform Implementation and Roadmap Act. This proposed legislation would define the mandate of the implementation committee, set clear timelines, and mandate government-funded civic education. CSOs are also advocating for a “multi-question” referendum format, which would allow citizens to vote individually on diverse issues rather than being forced to accept or reject a bulky package of amendments in a single “yes” or “no” vote.

While the government's Implementation Committee, currently led by former Attorney-General Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, continues its work, legal and professional bodies are weighing in on the procedural disputes. Mrs. Efua Ghartey, President of the Ghana Bar Association, has aligned with calls for a Constituent Assembly to ensure the process matches the depth of previous constitutional reforms in 1969, 1979, and 1992. Conversely, Dr. Rainer Akumperigya of the CRIC has argued that a formal assembly may be unnecessary if inclusive national dialogues are held. As the 2028 election cycle approaches, the success of these reforms appears to hinge on whether the NDC government can bridge the gap with the opposition and civil society to achieve the 75 percent approval threshold required for constitutional amendments.