Opposition NPP urges Ghanaian authorities to hold dialogue on constitutional changes — MyJoyOnline
Ghana’s opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to take into account the positions of trade unions, traditional leaders, professional associations and other stakeholders before advancing the proposed constitutional reforms. MyJoyOnline reports.
Sulemana Tampuli Alhassan, the Member of Parliament for Gushegu and deputy opposition spokesperson on the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, said at a briefing that the Constitution belongs to the people of Ghana. According to him, amending it should not become a partisan process determined by the incumbent government.
Proposal for a Constituent Assembly
The NPP is calling for broader public consensus and the creation of a Constituent Assembly. The party proposes that this body discuss the recommendations of the Constitutional Review Committee before the proposals are put to a referendum.
Alhassan urged the government to listen to the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC), Citizens Platform, the committee chair, traditional leaders, professional organizations, students, traders and farmers, who expressed their positions during the consultations.
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Trade union remarks
The TUC and other participants in the discussion also called for the opposition and other stakeholders to be involved in work on amendments to the 1992 Constitution. The congress said that the Constitutional Review Committee held consultations across the country, but the process was not as inclusive as the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1992 Constitution.
The TUC and Citizens Platform opposed extending the presidential term from four to five years without broader measures to strengthen governance and accountability. The TUC also objected to allowing dual citizens to run for parliament without renouncing their other citizenship.
The NPP said it was ready to be a partner of the government in constitutional reform if a platform for nationwide discussion is established before the referendum. According to the outlet, the creation of a Constituent Assembly was also supported by the Ghana Bar Association.
