The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has voiced strong opposition to the government’s handling of the proposed 1992 Constitution amendments, describing the planned changes as a complete overhaul of the country’s legal framework.
At a news conference on Thursday, September 17, the Chairman of the NPP Policy Committee and Member of Parliament for Ofoase/Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, insisted that the administration must halt the process until a broad-based consultative forum with key stakeholders is established.
“The New Patriotic Party therefore rejects this approach being pursued by the NDC government in essentially rewriting the 1992 constitution,” he said.
Highlighting the extent of the proposals, Mr Oppong Nkrumah revealed that the Constitution Review Committee has suggested alterations to 147 out of the 299 constitutional articles—nearly 49 per cent of the document—alongside 59 fresh provisions.
He maintained that the sheer magnitude of these revisions goes far beyond ordinary legislative adjustments.
“Amendment 147 of 299 articles, together with 59 new provisions, that is 206 reaching into the executive, the legislature, independent constitutional bodies, and local government is not just an adjustment to some provisions of the constitution, they amount to the overhaul of the constitution and in substance the enactment of a new one,” he said.
The Ofoase/Ayirebi lawmaker further pointed to sharp friction between the state and the independent review panel, alleging that the executive has replaced approximately 100 of the panel’s 147 recommendations with its own positions.
Despite these unresolved differences, the government has reportedly declared consultations closed, directing its drafting committee to prepare final proposals by November 2026 without further dialogue.
Expressing concern over the lack of engagement, the former Information Minister noted that civil society, political parties, Organised Labour, and professional associations currently have no avenue to deliberate on the contentious points. He referenced Ghana’s constitutional history, noting that the 1969, 1979, and 1992 documents all underwent extensive public review before taking effect.
“First, the work of an expert deliberated and settled upon by a broad and representative assembly and only then given the force of law. This was done in 1969, in 1979, and in 1992 and that is what we are calling on the government to respect now,” he said.
To ensure proper consensus, the NPP is demanding the immediate introduction of a Constituent or Consultative Assembly Bill in Parliament to create a formal platform for national debate and resolve the disputed recommendations.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
