PPP welcomes Constitution Review Committee, pledges support for reforms

The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has expressed strong support for the newly established Constitution Review Committee, set up by President John Dramani Mahama to recommend actionable amendments aimed at strengthening governance in Ghana.

In a statement signed by Kofi Asamoah-Siaw, Director of Policy, the party commended the President for swiftly forming the committee within weeks of assuming office, calling it a demonstration of genuine commitment to constitutional reform.

“The setting up of the committee within a few weeks of the President coming into office attests to his genuine commitment to the constitutional review process,” the statement read. The party further noted that the composition of the committee, led by legal expert Professor H. Kwesi Prempeh, reflects a commitment to good governance and national service.

The PPP also recalled its longstanding advocacy for constitutional reforms, particularly in local governance, citing a past engagement with the President in August 2013 when members of the Coalition for the Election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), led by the PPP, petitioned him to support the election of MMDCEs.

Key Constitutional Amendments Proposed by the PPP

As part of its commitment to the constitutional review process, the PPP outlined specific areas of reform it intends to advocate for during engagements with the committee. These include:

• Election of all MMDCEs and district assembly members by universal adult suffrage, ensuring that local governance is fully democratic.
• Allocation of no less than 30% of the consolidated fund directly to district assemblies, preventing executive interference in local governance financing.
• Strict separation of Parliament and the Executive, ensuring that MPs appointed as Ministers must vacate their parliamentary seats to promote legislative independence.
• Separation of the Office of the Attorney-General from the Ministry of Justice, insulating the Attorney-General from executive influence and ensuring prosecutorial independence.
• A transparent, public, and verifiable assets declaration system, backed by sanctions for false declarations to enhance accountability among public officials.
• Full political participation for Ghanaians in the diaspora, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s governance system.

PPP Ready to Engage the Committee

The PPP reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate with the Constitution Review Committee, stating that the proposed reforms are crucial to strengthening democracy, enhancing accountability, and promoting inclusive governance in Ghana.

“We look forward to collaborating with the Committee in its work to reform our constitution as part of the President’s agenda to reset Ghana,” the statement concluded.

With this renewed push for constitutional reforms, the PPP remains committed to ensuring that the review process results in lasting changes that will deepen Ghana’s democracy and improve governance at all levels.