The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has warned the government against dominating the public campaign ahead of a proposed referendum on constitutional amendments, insisting that Ghanaians must be allowed to hear competing positions before voting.
Manhyia South Member of Parliament and a member of Parliament’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, said the NPP would vigorously campaign for its position once it receives approval from the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
According to him, the proposed constitutional amendments are significant enough to potentially alter the character of Ghana’s Constitution and should therefore not be treated as an ordinary political exercise.
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“Our supporters across the length and breadth of the Republic of Ghana must know the position of our party, and we are going to canvass vigorously, vigorously,” Mr Awuah said.
“Once our position is approved by our flagbearer, we are going to go out and canvass vigorously for our people to appreciate our position and why we are taking that position.”
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, Mr Awuah stressed that the referendum would concern entrenched provisions of the 1992 Constitution, making public education and competing viewpoints particularly important.
“Look, this is not an ordinary exercise; it’s a very significant exercise. If you look at the number of amendments put forward, it may end up changing the character of our constitution significantly,” he said.
The NPP MP said his party would not sit back and allow the governing party to take control of the amendment process, recalling what he described as the ruling party’s dominant role during the constitutional arrangements that led to the 1992 Constitution.
“You don’t expect us to sit down as it happened in 1992, watch, very respectfully, the ruling party again take charge of the amendment process,” he said.
Mr Awuah argued that the number and complexity of the proposed amendments would pose a major challenge for public education, particularly for ordinary voters who would ultimately be required to make decisions on the proposals.
“There are very, very delicate issues that we can’t leave for the government alone to run it,” he said.
Mr Awuah disclosed that the NPP has completed its position paper on the proposed constitutional amendments and submitted it to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for consideration and approval.
He confirmed that the party’s position would be made public before the end of 2026.
“Of course. It certainly will be before the end of this year,” he added.
According to Mr Awuah, the NPP undertook extensive consultations involving former Attorneys-General and senior lawyers before finalising its position.
He listed former Attorneys-General Gloria Akuffo, Ayikoi Otoo, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Joe Ghartey, Godfred Yeboah Dame, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah and Diana Asonaba Dapaah among those who contributed to the process.
He also mentioned lawyer Frank Davies and other senior members of the legal profession.
The comments come as government advances the implementation of recommendations arising from Ghana’s constitutional review process.
The Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) was inaugurated on August 28, 2026, to work on the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee chaired by Professor H. Kwesi Prempeh.
The 11-member committee is chaired by Presidential Legal Counsel Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew with Oliver Barker-Vormawor serving as Secretary.
The CRIC is expected to examine the review proposals and the government’s position and assist in translating agreed reforms into the appropriate legislative and constitutional amendment processes.
With the NPP preparing its own position, the process is expected to attract increased political and public debate as the country moves towards a possible referendum.
Mr Awuah’s comments signal that the NPP intends to play an active role in educating voters and campaigning for its preferred position rather than allowing the government to set the agenda on the proposed constitutional reforms.
The party’s final position, once approved by Dr Bawumia, is expected to provide the basis for its campaign ahead of the referendum.
Myjoyonline