The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is set to take a major step towards defining its position on Ghana’s proposed constitutional reforms as its National Executive Committee (NEC) meets today to consider a position paper prepared by the party.
The meeting follows an internal assessment of the Constitution Review Committee’s (CRC) report and the government’s response to its recommendations.
The NPP’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Policy Committee conducted the review and compiled a position paper setting out the party’s views on the various proposed amendments.
The document has since been presented to former Vice President and NPP presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as well as the NEC for consideration.
The outcome of today’s meeting is expected to provide clarity on which reforms the opposition party intends to support, oppose or seek to modify before its position is made public.
Among the proposals before the party are a move to introduce five-year terms for the President and Parliament, the direct election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), an increase in the number of Members of Parliament from 275 to 300 and a reduction of the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35.
Other reforms backed by the government include allowing dual citizens to contest parliamentary elections, abolishing the death penalty and extending equal voting rights in the selection of parliamentary and presidential candidates to all members in good standing of political parties.
The NPP’s review forms part of its participation in the broader national constitutional reform exercise. The party previously made submissions to the CRC as part of the process.
In a statement issued on August 28, the party said its Constitutional and Legal Affairs Policy Committee had completed a “detailed review” of both the CRC’s recommendations and the government’s response.
The NPP said its approach was guided by its commitment to an open and inclusive constitutional review process capable of strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions, promoting political stability and supporting national development.
The NEC’s decision will therefore be significant in shaping the NPP’s formal response to the proposed amendments and could influence the party’s engagement with the government and other stakeholders as the constitutional reform process progresses.
