Citizens' Platform Pushes Government to Publish Constitutional Reform Roadmap

The Citizens' Platform, a prominent civil society coalition, has called on President John Mahama's government to present Ghanaians with a concrete and time-bound roadmap for constitutional reform, cautioning that the absence of such a plan is creating uncertainty and eroding public confidence in the government's commitment to governance transformation. Ghana's 1992 Constitution, while broadly respected as a foundation of democratic governance, has long been the subject of debate regarding provisions that critics argue are outdated, structurally problematic, or inadequate for the demands of modern governance. Issues frequently raised include the winner-takes-all nature of executive power, the independence of constitutional bodies, the structure of Parliament, and protections for the rights of citizens. The Citizens' Platform insists that reform is not merely a political wish-list but a national necessity. In a statement, the group noted that successive governments have raised the issue of constitutional review but failed to follow through with meaningful action. They called on President Mahama, who has also previously spoken in favour of constitutional reforms, to demonstrate that this administration is different. Among the key reform areas the Platform has highlighted are the removal of the constitutional provision that allows sitting Members of Parliament to also serve as ministers — a dual role that critics say compromises Parliament's oversight function. Other priorities include strengthening the independence of the Electoral Commission and other constitutional bodies, and ensuring that anti-corruption institutions have the teeth to act without political interference. Separately, the question of Ghana's Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill has also dominated political discourse, with the Pentecostal and Charismatic Council stating that the bill in its current form falls short of their expectations. The council has been among the most vocal advocates for strong legislative action on the issue, and their expressed dissatisfaction adds pressure on Parliament to revisit the draft. Also in the political space, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has reminded its USA branch to comply fully with rules governing internal elections, as the party seeks to rebuild after its defeat in the 2024 general elections. The directive comes as the NPP's Sweden chapter chairman has also declared a bid for the party's national first vice chairman position, indicating that internal democratic processes are actively underway. Political analysts say these various threads — constitutional reform, social legislation, and party rebuilding — collectively paint a picture of a Ghanaian political landscape in active transition, as the Mahama administration charts its course and the NPP works to recalibrate for future electoral contests.