IDEG Advocates Independent Body for Constitutional Reforms

Accra, April 1, — The Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) has proposed the creation of a Multiparty Democracy and Constitutional Reform Commission (MDCRC) to oversee permanent constitutional reforms in Ghana.

The proposed Commission, envisioned as an independent regulatory body separate from the Electoral Commission, would monitor, administer, and ensure political parties operate within stipulated regulations.

Mr. Kwasi Jonah, Senior Research Fellow at IDEG, said the MDCRC would address the repeated failure to implement constitutional review recommendations. He made the remarks at a Policy Dialogue on “Effective Constitutional Amendment: The Necessity of Legal and Institutional Safeguards” in Accra.

IDEG had previously presented a memorandum to the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) in April 2025, outlining proposals for constitutional amendments and institutional reforms, including the MDCRC. However, the proposal was not included in the CRC’s recommendations to the President. IDEG now plans to pursue the matter in Parliament to have it considered in the final amendments before implementation.

Mr. Jonah highlighted that despite several reform attempts since 2010, none had been fully implemented. He argued that a permanent Commission would provide continuity and ensure reforms are insulated from political cycles.

“Constitutions are reviewed every nineteen or twenty years. If a body like this exists, it can collect reform proposals and ensure implementation, regardless of which party is in power, because it is a technical commission,” he said.

Professor Kofi Quashigah, former Dean of the University of Ghana Law School, supported embedding a continuous constitutional review process in the constitution. He suggested that such a body could gather proposals over time and present them for approval via a national referendum, ensuring a comprehensive review rather than piecemeal amendments.

Ms. Becky Enyonam Ahadzi, Coordinator of the Affirmative Action Law Coalition, emphasized systemic exclusion of women in governance. She noted that reforms had mainly focused on appointed positions, while elected roles—where women face significant barriers—remained largely unaddressed.

GHBUSS

1 April 2026