The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has announced the implementation plan during a press briefing on the Government’s position on the Committee’s final recommendations.
According to him, the first step will be the inauguration of the Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC), which will be tasked with preparing two separate Constitution Amendment Bills simultaneously.
The first bill will deal with amendments to non-entrenched provisions of the Constitution. Dr Ayine explained that it will follow the procedure set out under article 291 of the 1992 Constitution, requiring publication in the Gazette, laying before Parliament, referral to the Council of State for advice, approval by at least two-thirds of all Members of Parliament and presidential assent.
The second bill, the Attorney-General explained, will cover amendments to entrenched provisions. These are provisions in the Constitution regarded most fundamental to Ghana’s constitutional order and therefore subject to a more rigorous amendment process under article 290 of the 1992 Constitution.
These include provisions on the sovereignty of Ghana and the supremacy of the Constitution (Articles 1–3); fundamental human rights and freedoms (Chapter 5); the Executive, including the Presidency (Chapter 8); key aspects of the Legislature and Judiciary; the independence of the media; finance and public accountability; the Police Service and Armed Forces; decentralisation and local government; chieftaincy; and the constitutional amendment process itself (Chapter 25).
Dr Ayine said amendments to these entrenched provisions must be referred to the Council of State, published in the Gazette for six months, laid before Parliament and ultimately approved through a national referendum.
He noted that for the referendum to succeed, at least 40 per cent of registered voters must participate, while 75 per cent of votes cast must be in favour of the proposed amendments.
The Attorney-General disclosed that Government expects both amendment bills to be completed by October 2026.
He further announced that the referendum on entrenched provisions is intended to be held alongside the 2027 District Assembly elections, explaining that the move is aimed at avoiding the significant cost of organising a standalone national referendum.
According to him, Government will work closely with the Electoral Commission to coordinate the electoral calendar.
Beyond the constitutional amendment bills, Dr Ayine said Government will also introduce complementary legislation to implement recommendations that do not require constitutional amendments.
These include amendments to existing laws, such as the Public Financial Management Act, as well as the introduction of new legislation, including a proposed Human Rights Act, to give effect to the broader constitutional reform agenda.
