TUC rejects five-year presidential term

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the proposed extension of the presidential term from four to five years, arguing that citizens could be forced to endure the consequences of poor governance for a longer period.

The union’s position follows the recommendation by the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) to amend Article 66(1) to extend the presidential tenure, which has been accepted by the government in its position paper.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, TUC Secretary General, Joshua Ansah, said the union had taken note of both the CRC recommendation and the government’s argument that a longer term would provide more time for governments to formulate, implement and assess policies.

Mr Ansah, however, said the proposed extension could have negative consequences if a government failed to govern effectively.

“The TUC draws attention to the fact that in the event of misgovernance, a five-year tenure also means citizens will have to endure the consequences for a longer period than under the current dispensation. The acceptance of this recommendation, therefore, imposes an obligation to improve governance and bolster confidence in democratic governance.

“In other words, this recommendation is tied to other recommendations that are intended to strengthen and improve governance. One cannot, therefore, merely agree to tenure extension and leave everything else the same,” he said.

The press conference was organised to present the TUC’s position on the review of the 1992 Constitution, including the review process, the CRC’s recommendations and the government’s position.

Presidential Appointments
On presidential appointments, Mr Ansah said the TUC supported the recommendation to amend Article 70 to limit the appointment powers of the President.

He, however, said the union shared the government’s concern that the 4 classifications of public service appointments proposed by the CRC were vague.

“The TUC will work with the Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) as it develops a more appropriate and practical classification system for limiting the appointment powers of the President,” he said.

Mr Ansah stressed that amending Article 70 alone would not be sufficient to restrict presidential appointment powers, noting that the provision referred to a limited number of public institutions commonly described as Independent Constitutional Bodies.

He said insulating appointments to such institutions from the partisan instincts of a president would strengthen their independence and enhance public confidence in their work.

TUC Backs Removal of Ministerial-MP Hybrid

The TUC also backed the government’s proposal to delete the provision in Article 78(1) requiring the majority of Ministers of State to be appointed from among Members of Parliament.

“We have also taken note of Government proposal to delete the words “except that the majority of Ministers of State shall be appointed from among members of Parliament” from Article 78(1). This deletion will allow a President to nominate any number of ministers from among members of parliament.

“The TUC backs this recommendation by the CRC. We do not expect Ministers of State to act simultaneously as Members of Parliament,” he said.

However, the union rejected the CRC’s recommendation that an MP who resigns from Parliament should be barred from being appointed a Minister during the term of the Parliament for which the person was elected.

Mr Ansah said the TUC had no objection to MPs resigning and taking up ministerial appointments, but opposed the practice of Ministers simultaneously serving as MPs.

“Our problem is with Ministers of State doubling as Members of Parliament. The uniquely Ghanaian hybrid system has weakened parliamentary oversight and occasioned Executive dominance of the legislation. It has also weakened accountability,” he said.

TUC Rejects Dual Citizenship Proposal
The TUC also rejected the CRC’s recommendation to amend Article 94(2)(a) to allow dual citizens to contest parliamentary elections and become Members of Parliament while retaining citizenship of another country.

Mr Ansah said the union had taken note of the government’s acceptance of the recommendation and ongoing parliamentary efforts to allow dual citizens to hold public positions, except the offices of President and Vice President.

“The TUC disagrees totally with the recommendation by the CRC, and the government's acceptance of it as well as the current legislative processes on the matter of dual citizenship. In fact, we characterise the recommendation as self-serving and a direct assault on the genuine citizenship. It is contradictory and serves no useful purpose for the country,” he said.

He questioned what he described as the unequal treatment of citizens under the proposal.

“It is strange for the CRC to recommend that a teacher in the Ghana Education Service (GES) who is serving mother Ghana in a deprived community must resign a full year before he or she can contest parliament elections, but a dual citizen does not have to resign their other citizenship. This is the contradiction and the unfairness. We must not constitutionalise this unfairness. The current arrangement must remain,” he said.

TUC Supports 33-Member Council of State

The union accepted the recommendation to amend Article 89(2) to create a 33-member Council of State and alter its composition.

Mr Ansah said the Council of State remained a useful organ of government that should be reformed to make it more effective in meeting citizens’ expectations.

He, however, criticised what he described as the overwhelming dominance of presidential appointees on the council, as well as the partisan nature of the process for electing regional representatives.

TUC Rejects Government’s DCE Election Proposal

On the election of District Chief Executives (DCEs), Mr Ansah said the TUC agreed with the government’s position on the CRC recommendation but rejected a proposal for the incumbent government to nominate candidates for the elections.

He said the government’s proposal would allow an incumbent administration to select 5 candidates, from whom 3 would be shortlisted for the election of a DCE.

“The TUC totally disagrees with the proposal by the Government that, for the election of DCEs, an incumbent Government will select or nominate five candidates, out of which of three will be shortlisted as candidates for election of a DCE.

“The TUC rejects this proposal. It is paternalistic, and it retains the central government's dominance of the district administration. Most likely, an NDC government will select five NDC members or sympathisers. An NPP government will do same. And Ghanaians will ask: did we go or did we come?,” he asked.

TUC Supports Reforms in Lands and Natural Resources

On lands and natural resources, the TUC expressed concern that the government had not accepted the CRC’s recommendations in the area despite longstanding concerns over the management of the country’s lands and natural resources.

Mr Ansah said the union supported the broad recommendations aimed at reforming the legal framework governing the management of lands and natural resources.

He further disclosed that the government had rejected 54% of the total recommendations submitted by the CRC.

According to him, the proposed referendum would therefore focus exclusively on issues selected by the government, leaving out recommendations supported by other groups.

He said the development raised concerns about the scope of the constitutional review process and the issues that would ultimately be presented to Ghanaians for consideration.