President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to hold a national referendum on proposed constitutional amendments alongside the 2027 District Assembly Elections.
He made the announcement during the Resetting Ghana Tour Citizens’ Engagement in Bolgatanga as part of his two-day tour of the Upper East Region.
President Mahama said the referendum would be held on the same day as the District Assembly Elections, allowing voters to decide on proposed changes to the Constitution while electing their Assembly Members.
“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 if the referendum receives the required approval, the proposed changes to the entrenched provisions of the Constitution would be implemented.
“If the referendum is successful, we will implement the amendments to the entrenched clauses. That is what we are doing with regard to governance.”
President Mahama also disclosed that he would soon inaugurate the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee, which will be tasked with reviewing and consolidating the government’s position paper and the reports of the Constitutional Review Commission.
According to him, the committee will categorise the proposed amendments into entrenched and non-entrenched provisions.
“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 explained that constitutional provisions classified as entrenched would require a referendum before they could be amended.
“Entrenched clauses require that we conduct a referendum. At least 40 percent of registered voters must vote, and 75 per cent of those who vote must say yes.”
The President reiterated that the referendum would be conducted alongside next year’s District Assembly Elections.
Road, school projects
Meanwhile, President Mahama has directed the Minister of Roads and Highways to ensure the construction of a road in the Kologo Traditional Area following a request from its Paramount Chief, Naba Clifford Abagna Tandegrewongrekugre Asobayire V.
The President also tasked the Minister of Education with taking steps to establish a Senior High School in the Kologo Traditional Area.
The directives followed two separate requests from the traditional leader for improved road infrastructure and the establishment of a secondary school in the area.
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