The Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has presented a set of far-reaching recommendations to the government, including proposals to extend the presidential term to five years and to separate the Executive from Parliament.
The proposals were outlined by the Chair of the Committee, Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, during the presentation of highlights from the Committee’s final report to President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on Monday, December 22.
Professor Prempeh explained that the Committee believes the current four-year presidential term is insufficient for effective governance and should be extended by one year. He dismissed suggestions that the proposals seek to introduce a third presidential term, stressing that no such provision exists in the Constitution.
The Committee also recommended ending the current hybrid system that allows ministers to be appointed from Parliament, arguing that it weakens efficiency and accountability. According to Prof. Prempeh, a clearer separation between the Executive and the Legislature would strengthen governance.
Reforms to the Council of State also feature prominently in the report, with the Committee proposing a return to its original structure as envisioned under the 1969 Constitution.
In addition, the CRC proposed changes to local governance structures, particularly in relation to traditional authorities, as Ghana considers the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
“We’re proposing that if we’re going to be electing MMDCEs, we should also take another look at the legitimacy the chiefs have at the local level. So, we’re proposing to bring them to the local government structure. We’re proposing to bring them to a more direct governing role at the sub-district level on how our towns and villages are run,” Prof. Prempeh said.
The Committee also called for the depoliticisation of state-owned enterprises and reforms to appointment processes within the public sector.
“We’re also proposing significant changes in the Council of State in the way it is organised, returning it to the original 1969 intention. One of the areas of importance is the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature,” he added.
Prof. Prempeh explained that the CRC is proposing the abolition of the hybrid system between the Executive and Parliament.
“We propose what we call the hybrid; we dispense with it and focus on things we think will be new. There are a lot of talks around the separation. Another proposal is how the public sector has been organised and the role of partisanship, whether in State-Owned Enterprises, the commercial sector, or public services. The appointment processes should also change for State Enterprises,” he said.
The Committee further recommended institutional reforms to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), proposing that it be split into two separate bodies.
“We are proposing a one-year extension for the president. Four-year period is pretty low. And a one-year campaign period, a short one for political parties, so that the government will have time to govern. We’re proposing CHRAJ can focus on human rights, and we’ll create a new Commission out of it to handle corruption cases,” Prof. Prempeh stated.
The Mahama-led government is expected to study the Committee’s recommendations before taking a final decision on their implementation.
