The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has called for constitutional reforms to limit the President's appointing powers and strengthen accountability, long-term national development planning, and institutional independence. This was stated by the Most Reverend Dr Paul Kwabena Boafo, Immediate Past Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Constitutional Review engagement in Accra. The CCG's suggestions aim to promote policy continuity and encourage bipartisan consensus on strategic national priorities.
The CCG proposes that the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) should be strengthened and national budgets linked to long-term development objectives. This, according to Rev. Dr Boafo, will ensure that the country's development plans are not derailed by changes in government. The Council also supports a constitutional framework that clearly differentiates between executive office and independent constitutional bodies. This, they believe, will help limit the President's appointing powers and ensure transparency and merit in public appointments.
The Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), chaired by Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, was inaugurated in January 2025 to undertake a comprehensive review of the 1992 Constitution. The Committee presented its final report and recommendations to President John Mahama in December 2025. The Christian Council's suggestions are part of the ongoing national discussion on the CRC's proposals. The Council's views on presidential appointing powers and executive power are aimed at promoting accountability and preventing the abuse of power.
The CCG has expressed disagreement with the proposed extension of the presidential and parliamentary term from four to five years. Rev. Dr Boafo stated that the Council shares the position of other institutions that have rejected the five-year proposal, arguing that effective governance depends more on policy continuity than on extending the electoral cycle. The Council believes that a four-year term is sufficient for an elected government to implement its programme.
On the issue of presidential appointments and executive power, Rev. Dr Boafo emphasized the need for a constitutional framework that limits the President's appointing powers. He suggested that other key stakeholders should be involved in the appointment process to ensure transparency and merit. The Council also supports proposals to strengthen the independence, professionalism, funding, and accountability of institutions such as the Electoral Commission, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Auditor-General.
The CCG has rejected the CRC proposal to cap the number of Supreme Court Justices at 15. Rev. Dr Boafo argued that such a cap could increase the workload of the apex court, given its broad jurisdiction. The Council believes that capping the size of the Supreme Court will overload it with cases, unless its jurisdiction is reviewed to ensure that certain cases do not proceed to the apex court.
Other stakeholders, including Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, and Madam Sophia Akuffo, a former Chief Justice, have also shared their perspectives on key proposals contained in the CRC report. Sheikh Shaibu suggested that the minimum age requirement for contesting the presidency should remain at 40 years, while Madam Akuffo urged the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) to take citizens' views and concerns into account as it works towards implementing recommendations contained in the final constitutional review report.
Key points
- The Christian Council of Ghana advocates for constitutional reforms to limit presidential appointing powers.
- The Council proposes strengthening the National Development Planning Commission and linking national budgets to long-term development objectives.
- The CCG rejects the proposed extension of the presidential and parliamentary term from four to five years.
