Speaker urges MPs to put national interest ahead of partisan politics in Constitutional Review

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has urged Members of Parliament to put aside partisan interests and build consensus in the ongoing constitutional review process, particularly as the country prepares to amend entrenched provisions of the 1992 Constitution.

Addressing Parliament at the resumption of sitting on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, he said lawmakers must demonstrate a willingness to accommodate differing views and engage in constructive dialogue to ensure the reforms serve the country's long-term interests.

“A spirit of accommodation and a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. We must be prepared to rise above our immediate political interests, set aside entrenched partisan positions, and find a common ground necessary to advance reforms that will serve the long-term interest of our country,” he said.

The constitutional review process follows the work of an eight-member Constitution Review Committee chaired by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, which was appointed by President John Mahama in January 2025 to examine the 1992 Constitution and propose reforms to strengthen Ghana's democratic governance.

The committee presented its final report to the President in December 2025 after nationwide consultations and engagements with various stakeholders.

Its recommendations covered several areas of governance, including the separation of the Executive from the Legislature, presidential appointments, local government and the length of the presidential term.

Following Cabinet's consideration of the recommendations, the government published its position paper on July 30, 2026, outlining its response and proposed approach to implementing the reforms.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, subsequently inaugurated an 11-member Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) on August 28, 2026, to examine the government's position alongside the recommendations of the review committee and prepare the proposed constitutional amendments.

The committee is expected to develop two amendment bills, one covering non-entrenched provisions and the other dealing with entrenched provisions of the Constitution.

While amendments to non-entrenched provisions require parliamentary approval by a two-thirds majority, changes to entrenched provisions must undergo a national referendum, in accordance with Article 290 of the Constitution.