Mahama plans referendum on constitutional reforms alongside 2027 District Assembly elections
President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to hold a referendum on proposed amendments to Ghana’s entrenched constitutional provisions alongside the 2027 District Assembly elections.
The move forms part of the government’s broader constitutional reform agenda, with the President saying recommendations from the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) and the government’s position paper will be translated into specific legislative proposals.
Speaking during a citizen engagement in Bolgatanga last Friday as part of his tour of the Upper East Region under the Resetting Ghana Agenda, President Mahama said he would soon inaugurate a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to oversee the process.
According to him, the committee will harmonise the recommendations of the CRC with the government’s position on constitutional reform before dividing the proposals into entrenched and non-entrenched provisions.
“With regard to governance, the AG has already told you about the constitutional review. I'll inaugurate the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee.
And their work is to take the government position paper and the CRC reports and synthesise the two.
“And then they will divide it into two segments: non-entrenched clauses and entrenched clauses. Non-entrenched clauses, we just need parliamentary approval.
So those will be put before Parliament, and we will vote and pass them. Entrenched clauses require that we conduct a referendum, and that will go alongside the 2027 Assembly elections,” he stated.
Referendum requirements
President Mahama explained that proposals affecting entrenched provisions of the Constitution would have to go through a national referendum in accordance with the constitutional requirements.
He said at least 40 per cent of registered voters would have to participate in the referendum for the exercise to be valid.
Additionally, at least 75 per cent of those who vote would have to support the proposed amendments before they could take effect.
The President said the government intended to hold the referendum concurrently with the 2027 District Assembly elections, allowing voters to decide on the constitutional proposals while electing their local representatives.
Government constitutional reform agenda
President Mahama urged Ghanaians to actively participate in the reform process and support the government’s efforts to amend the Constitution through the established legal procedures.
He said the constitutional review was part of a wider governance agenda aimed at strengthening state institutions, improving national security and creating an enabling environment for development.