Government Position Paper on Constitutional Review in the works – President Mahama

Cabinet has completed its consideration of the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendations, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed, with the Attorney-General now preparing the Government’s Position Paper on the matter.

President Mahama made the disclosure during a Resetting Ghana citizens’ engagement held at the Ho Technical University, as part of his tour of the Volta Region.

“On constitutional reform, Cabinet has completed its consideration of the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendations. The Attorney-General is preparing the Government Position Paper, after which I will inaugurate the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to prepare a roadmap for implementing the reforms,” he said.

He said Government had accepted many of the committee’s recommendations while offering alternative views on others. “Government accepted many of the committee’s recommendations while offering alternative views on others,” he said.

President Mahama’s remarks on the constitutional review process came as he addressed a broader set of governance issues during the engagement, including his approach to accountability.

He added that his government harboured no malice towards anyone and that no individual would be prosecuted because of political vendetta, but that the law would take its course where evidence established wrongdoing. He said the same standard would apply to officials serving in his own administration.

He also used the opportunity to respond to an ongoing Supreme Court process concerning the constitutional provision on presidential tenure. He said that although some people had sought an interpretation from the Court on the matter, his understanding was that the Constitution was clear on the issue, while stressing that he respected the Court’s authority to interpret the law.

“What I know is that the people of Ghana entrusted me with one additional term, and I will continue to work diligently to honour that trust,” he said.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD