Dr Theo Acheampong: Constitution Review Committee Report Proposes Reforms to Tackle ‘Choiceless Democracy’
Economist and Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Finance, Dr Theo Acheampong, has described the final report submitted by the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) as a timely and far-reaching attempt to realign Ghana’s democratic system with development outcomes.
According to Dr Acheampong, the report correctly points out that Ghana’s history of stable electoral turnover has not consistently translated into sustained socio-economic development, raising the risk of what it terms a “choiceless democracy.” He said the proposed reforms seek to recalibrate political incentives toward service delivery, integrity, accountability, and long-term national planning.
In a detailed write-up, Dr Acheampong noted that the CRC’s proposals, spanning nine thematic chapters, aim to reduce winner-takes-all politics, strengthen checks and balances, professionalise public administration, entrench fiscal discipline, and expand citizen rights and local accountability.
Executive power and presidency
One of the key recommendations highlighted is the call for a less patronage-heavy presidency, with tighter limits on executive authority.
Among the proposals are:
Extending the presidential term from four to five years, while retaining the two-term limit.
Reducing the minimum age to contest the presidency from 40 to 30 years.
Removing the President’s tax exemption under Article 57(5).
Prohibiting Members of Parliament from being appointed as Ministers, Deputy Ministers, or Regional Ministers, alongside a cap on the size of the cabinet.
Electoral cycle reforms
The report also proposes election-cycle reforms aimed at reducing uncertainty and curbing abuses during political transitions.
These include changes to the scheduling of presidential elections, stricter timelines for election petitions, and limits on the exercise of executive powers during the post-election transition period.
Parliament and law-making
On Parliament, the CRC proposes reforms to promote a more problem-solving legislature, anchored in transparency and citizen participation.
Key recommendations include:
Moving constitutional amendment bills to open and recorded voting, limiting the use of secret ballots.
Tightening the use of certificates of urgency, with clearly defined criteria, bipartisan thresholds, and minimum scrutiny requirements.
Creating an explicit constitutional right to public participation in law-making, including mandatory constituency town-hall meetings during parliamentary recess.
Reviewing Parliament’s size, electoral system options—including proportional representation—and eligibility rules for public officers contesting elections.
Political parties and campaign finance
The CRC further recommends stronger regulation of political parties and campaign finance, including the establishment of an independent regulator with powers to audit party finances, curb abuse of incumbency, and enforce sanctions, including prosecution.
It also proposes tighter rules to strengthen internal party democracy, particularly in candidate selection processes.
Development planning and fiscal discipline
Dr Acheampong also highlighted proposals to make national development planning binding across administrations, through a strengthened National Development Plan aligned with parliamentary oversight and budget execution.
In addition, the report calls for constitutional upgrades to fiscal governance, aimed at tightening public financial management, reducing discretionary spending leakages, and improving transparency and accountability.
Anti-corruption, rights and decentralisation
On integrity and governance, the CRC proposes a new constitutional Anti-Corruption and Ethics Commission, backed by stronger asset declaration rules, codes of conduct, and “unexplained wealth” enforcement mechanisms.
The report also expands rights and inclusion, proposing the addition of rights to food and housing, stronger digital privacy protections, and reforms addressing equality, discrimination, and multiple citizenship issues.
In the area of decentralisation, the CRC recommends the creation of an Independent Devolution Commission, alongside reforms to political and fiscal decentralisation, including the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and rationalisation of district creation.
Security sector governance
Finally, the report proposes reforms to security sector governance, including consolidating security and safety services under a single constitutional chapter, establishing an independent security oversight authority, and clarifying the rules governing the deployment of the armed forces for civilian law enforcement.
Dr Acheampong said taken together, the CRC’s proposals represent a comprehensive attempt to strengthen Ghana’s democratic architecture, reduce governance distortions, and better align political competition with long-term national development.
