The Regional Coordinator of the Citizens Platform on Constitutional Reforms (CPCR), Mr Mustapha Yeboah, has dismissed the notion that Ghana’s Constitution can be amended solely through the powers of the Executive or Parliament, stressing the need to follow the constitutionally prescribed procedures.
Mr Yeboah, who also serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Center of Posterity Interest Organisation (COPIO), explained that some provisions of the 1992 Constitution are entrenched and require a referendum involving the electorate before they can be amended.
He made these remarks on Tuesday during a regional coordination and planning meeting that brought together stakeholders to discuss proposals submitted by the Constitution Review Committee.
On the proposed election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), Mr Yeboah described the move as a positive step towards strengthening accountability at the local government level.
He said electing MMDCEs would enable citizens to hold them accountable for their performance, similar to how the President and Members of Parliament are answerable to the electorate during elections.
However, Mr Yeboah opposed proposals to extend the four-year terms of the President and Members of Parliament, arguing that the existing four-year period is sufficient.
He maintained that the current term should be retained rather than increased.
Some participants at the meeting also shared their experiences and lessons from the discussions, pledging to educate the public on the proposed constitutional reforms to promote awareness and informed participation in the reform process.
