Mahama Announces 2027 Referendum on 1992 Constitution Amendments

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghanaians will vote on proposed amendments to the 1992 Constitution in a national referendum held alongside the 2027 District Assembly Elections, moving the country's long-running constitutional review process from position papers and committee reports toward an actual date with the ballot box.

The announcement
President Mahama made the disclosure during the Resetting Ghana Tour Citizens' Engagement in Bolgatanga, part of a two-day working tour of the Upper East Region. "We therefore want to add the referendum to the District Assembly elections next year. Next year, apart from voting for your Assembly Members, you will also be required to vote on the constitutional amendments," the President told the gathering. He added that, if successful, the amendments to the Constitution's entrenched clauses would be implemented immediately afterward.

Why the referendum is bundled with local elections

The decision to hold the vote alongside the District Assembly Elections is a cost-saving measure. Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine, briefing the press in Accra earlier, explained that combining the two exercises would help reduce the overall cost of the referendum, with both constitutional amendment bills expected to be ready by October 2026.

The President said he would soon inaugurate a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee, tasked with synthesizing the government's position paper with the report of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) before splitting the proposed changes into two categories. Non-entrenched provisions will go directly to Parliament, where a two-thirds majority can approve them without a referendum. Entrenched provisions covering fundamental rights, the amendment process itself, and core governance structures require the more demanding constitutional threshold: at least 40 percent of registered voters must cast a ballot, and 75 percent of those who vote must approve the change.

What is actually on the table
The government's 89-page position paper, presented by Dr Ayine, accepted a wide range of the Constitutional Review Committee's recommendations, some with modification:

A five-year presidential and parliamentary term, up from the current four years, with the government arguing the shorter cycle leaves too little governing time once transition and election activities are accounted for.

A 300-seat Parliament, up from 276, with the extra 24 seats filled through proportional representation reserved for women, persons with disabilities, and youth.

Direct election of all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), rather than the phased approach the Review Committee had proposed. Under the plan, the President would nominate five candidates (including two women) per position, with three shortlisted (including at least one woman) to contest the seat.

Lowering the minimum age for the presidency from 40 to 35 years.

Abolition of the death penalty, replacing capital punishment with life imprisonment.

Removal of the President's blanket tax exemption, requiring the Head of State to pay tax on salary, allowances, and applicable indirect taxes, though presidential pensions would remain exempt.

A cap of 60 ministers of state, and a Supreme Court capped at 19 members, comprising the Chief Justice and 18 other justices.

A single, non-renewable 10-year term for the Chief Justice, or until the mandatory retirement age of 70, whichever comes first.

Permission for dual citizens to hold high public office, including as MPs, ministers, Chief Justice, Electoral Commission chair, and Speaker of Parliament.

Restructuring of the Attorney-General's office, separating it from Cabinet and creating a distinct Ministry of Justice, while the Attorney-General retains responsibility for prosecutions and legal advice with security of tenure comparable to a Supreme Court Justice.

A constitutional right of abode for the African diaspora, including a heritage-based pathway to citizenship subject to conditions Parliament will determine.

An independent Public Emoluments Commission to set salaries for Article 71 office holders, replacing the current presidentially appointed committee.

Local priorities alongside the national announcement

The Bolgatanga engagement was not limited to constitutional matters. Responding to requests from the Paramount Chief of the Kologo Traditional Area, Naba Clifford Abagna Tandegrewongrekugre Asobayire V, President Mahama directed the Minister of Roads and Highways to construct a road serving the area and tasked the Minister of Education with establishing a Senior High School there a reminder that the Resetting Ghana Tour is combining national policy announcements with direct, community-level engagement across the regions.

What happens next
With both amendment bills targeted for readiness by October 2026, the coming months will determine exactly which reforms reach Parliament and which face the higher bar of a national referendum. For entrenched provisions including the shift to a five-year term, the restructured judiciary, and directly elected MMDCEs the outcome will ultimately rest not with lawmakers but with Ghanaian voters at the same polling stations where they elect their Assembly Members in 2027.

Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.

International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP

[email protected]
+233-555-275-880
References
Ghanamma.com, "Government to add constitutional referendum to 2027 District Assembly elections." https://www.ghanamma.com/2026/08/15/government-to-add-constitutional-referendum-to-2027-district-assembly-elections/

Graphic Online, "Constitutional Review in Ghana: Govt backs five-year presidential term, 300-seat Parliament, elected MMDCEs, 60-ministers cap," July 30, 2026. https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/constitutional-review-in-ghana-govt-backs-five-year-presidential-term-300-seat-parliament-elected-mmdces-60-ministers-cap.html

MyJoyOnline, "Government to add constitutional referendum to 2027 District Assembly elections." https://www.myjoyonline.com/government-to-add-constitutional-referendum-to-2027-district-assembly-elections/

The Herald Ghana, "Mahama plans referendum on constitutional reforms alongside 2027 assembly elections." https://theheraldghana.com/mahama-plans-referendum-on-constitutional-reforms-alongside-2027-assembly-elections/

MyJoyOnline, "Ghana to hold referendum on proposed constitutional amendments in 2027 Mahama." https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghana-to-hold-referendum-on-proposed-constitutional-amendments-in-2027-mahama/

GBC Ghana Online, "Entrenched constitutional clauses to be amended, voted on during next year's District Assembly elections Mahama." https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general/constitutional-amended-to-be-voted-on/2026/