President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to hold a national referendum on proposed constitutional reforms alongside the 2027 District Assembly Elections.

The President disclosed this during a Citizens’ Engagement as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region.

He said voters would have the opportunity to decide on proposed amendments to the entrenched provisions of the 1992 Constitution when they go to the polls for the District Assembly elections next year.

“We therefore want to add the referendum to the District Assembly elections next year. Next year, apart from voting for your Assembly Members, you will also be required to vote on the constitutional amendments,” President Mahama said.

He explained that should the referendum receive the required support, government would proceed with the implementation of the approved constitutional amendments.

Committee to review proposals

President Mahama said he would soon inaugurate a Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to examine the recommendations contained in the Constitutional Review Commission’s reports alongside the government’s position paper.

The committee, he explained, would categorise the proposed reforms into entrenched and non-entrenched provisions to determine the appropriate process for their adoption.

For non-entrenched provisions, President Mahama said parliamentary approval would be sufficient.

“For non-entrenched clauses, we only need Parliamentary approval. We will put them before Parliament, and Members will vote and pass them,” he said.

He noted that amendments affecting entrenched provisions would require a national referendum.

According to the President, at least 40 per cent of registered voters must participate in the referendum, while 75 per cent of those who vote must approve the proposed amendments for them to be adopted.

Mahama responds to development requests

During the engagement, President Mahama also responded to development concerns raised by the Paramount Chief of the Kologo Traditional Area, Naba Clifford Abagna Tandegrewongrekugre Asobayire V.

The traditional leader had appealed for the construction of a road in the area and the establishment of a Senior High School.

President Mahama directed the Minister of Roads and Highways to take steps to ensure the construction of the requested road.

He also tasked the Minister of Education with facilitating the establishment of a Senior High School in the Kologo Traditional Area.

The directives form part of the government’s efforts to address infrastructure and educational needs raised by communities during the President’s engagement with residents.