President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to hold a national referendum on proposed constitutional amendments alongside the 2027 District Assembly elections. The referendum will give voters the opportunity to decide on changes to the entrenched provisions of the 1992 Constitution, alongside electing Assembly Members.
Referendum to be Held Alongside 2027 District Assembly Polls
President Mahama made the announcement during a citizens' engagement in Bolgatanga as part of his two-day working tour of the Upper East Region under the Resetting Ghana Tour. He explained that the government was preparing to determine which proposed constitutional changes required parliamentary approval and which would have to be subjected to a referendum.
The President said voters would have the opportunity to elect Assembly Members and decide on proposed changes to the entrenched provisions of the 1992 Constitution. "We therefore want to add the referendum to the District Assembly elections next year," he said. "Next year, apart from voting for your Assembly Members, you will also be required to vote on the constitutional amendments."
Implementation Committee to Review Proposed Amendments
President Mahama said he would soon inaugurate a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to consider the government's position paper alongside the reports of the Constitutional Review Commission. The committee will synthesise the two documents and categorise the proposed amendments into entrenched and non-entrenched provisions. For non-entrenched clauses, the government will only need parliamentary approval, while amendments affecting entrenched provisions will require the additional constitutional process of a referendum.
Kologo Traditional Area Development Requests Addressed
During the engagement, President Mahama also responded to development requests from the Paramount Chief of the Kologo Traditional Area, Naba Clifford Abagna Tandegrewongrekugre Asobayire V. The traditional leader had appealed for the construction of a road in the area and the establishment of a Senior High School. President Mahama directed the Minister of Roads and Highways to ensure that the road project was undertaken, and instructed the Minister of Education to take steps towards establishing a Senior High School in the Kologo Traditional Area.
The announcement of the referendum and its planned attachment to the 2027 District Assembly polls has significant implications for Ghana's governance and constitutional framework. The process will give citizens a direct say in shaping the country's future and its constitutional provisions.
Source: Joy Online
