Between 2018 and 2019, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government pursued the amendment of Articles 55(3) and 243(1) in order to reform the local government system and devolve more power and resources to the local communities. However, the national referendum scheduled for December 17, 2019 was cancelled for lack of adequate public information and broad-based consensus. Since then, both the NPP government and the NDC opposition have restated their commitment to reset and pursue local governance reforms in the mandate period 2021-2024, if elected.
The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) in their press statement, to mark December 7th Constitution Day, put forward five constitutional amendment proposals to be implemented before December 2024 General Elections. These are: (i) The amendment of Articles 243(1) & 243(3) and 242(d) which will ensure the direct election of District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives as well as the cancellation of government’s appointee into the District Assemblies (ii) The amendment of Article 78(1) to prohibit Members of Parliament from being appointed as Ministers of State or MPs must resign from parliament after their ministerial appointment (iii) The amendment of Article 88 to strengthen the office of Attorney-General by separating it from the Ministry of Justice; (iv) The amendment of Articles 286(1) and 286(3) to introduce a Public Declaration of Assets Regime; and (v) The amendment of Article 94(2)(a) to guarantee the eligibility of Ghanaians in the Diaspora to hold Public Office.
The facts so far show that there is a mutual interest in the devolution of state powers and resources with regards to the election of MMDCEs. However, the varying perspectives of the NPP, NDC and PPP indicate that there is no consensus on the best approach to reforming the current local government system and multiparty constitutional democracy in Ghana. Whilst the NPP advocate for the inclusion of political parties in local government, the NDC do not support the inclusion of political parties. The PPP also believe that the inclusion of political parties in local government is not as urgent as allowing the citizens to elect MMDCEs.
Against this backdrop, the IDEG compiled a set of reform proposals that can shape these differing perspectives for the amendment of the two Articles, 55(3) and 243(1). Accordingly, IDEG and the leadership of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) engaged in an informal conversation on the “Amendment of the 1992 Constitution”, on 21st December 2021, to share and discuss the different perspectives on constitutional reforms in order to build the consensus on the best way forward. The topics discussed were (i) Amendment of the 1992 Constitution, by Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director, IDEG and (ii) Party-Organization: Experience of Minority Parties PPP by the leadership of the PPP.
In conclusion, it was agreed that due to insufficient time, the discussion on the amendment of the 1992 Constitution will be continued after the Christmas and New year Holidays. The Second engagement will opportune IDEG to present and discuss with the PPP leadership its proposals for transforming the local government system to benefit all political parties, other marginalized groups and the society as a whole.