CDD-Ghana and Civil Society Coalitions Demand Legislative Framework to Safeguard Constitutional Reforms

The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), supported by a coalition of over 100 civil society organizations (CSOs), is advocating for the enactment of a formal law to guide and sustain Ghana’s constitutional reform process. This call for a statutory implementation roadmap aims to ensure that the momentum for reform remains uninterrupted by changes in government or political transitions. With a proposed national referendum scheduled for 2027 and general elections in 2028, advocates emphasize that a legislative framework is essential to provide a clear path forward and prevent the frequent 'restarts' that have historically plagued constitutional review efforts.

CDD-Ghana Programmes Officer Vera Abena Addo highlighted that a formal roadmap would help mitigate disruptions caused by shifting political priorities. The proposed legislation is intended to distinguish between reforms that can be implemented immediately and those requiring longer-term negotiation and consensus-building. By anchoring the process in law, the coalition seeks to unify diverse stakeholders—including political parties like the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and labor groups such as the Trades Union Congress (TUC)—around a consistent and inclusive reform agenda that transcends electoral cycles.

Concurrent with these calls for procedural safeguards, the government’s specific positions on the 2025 Constitution Review have come under intense scrutiny, particularly regarding decentralization. While the administration has accepted several recommendations from the review committee, it has proposed significant modifications to how local leaders are chosen. A major point of contention is the government’s model for electing Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). Under this proposal, the President would retain the power to nominate candidates who would then be vetted before contesting a public election, a move critics label as "presidential gatekeeping."

Governance experts and development practitioners argue that this nomination-based electoral model fails to address the fundamental issue of downward accountability. By keeping the selection of candidates in the hands of the presidency, critics suggest the reform may merely reshape existing power dynamics rather than empowering citizens with genuine electoral choice. Furthermore, there are concerns that this approach could complicate the electoral calendar and create a detachment between MMDCE contests and broader District Assembly elections, potentially undermining the goal of a truly democratic local governance system.

As Ghana moves toward the 2027 referendum, the tension between civil society’s demand for a structured, law-backed process and the government’s specific policy preferences remains a central theme in the national discourse. The success of the constitutional review will likely depend on whether the state can balance executive oversight with the public's demand for deeper decentralization and more transparent leadership selection. For now, the push for a legislative anchor serves as a critical attempt to ensure that the multi-year reform effort results in a lasting democratic legacy that survives beyond the current political administration.