Referendum on proposed constitutional amendment scheduled for 2027-Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama says government intends 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 visit to the Upper East Region.

According to the President, voters will be asked to decide on proposed amendments to entrenched provisions of the 1992 Constitution when they go to the polls to elect Assembly Members next year.

“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,” he said.

President Mahama said the proposed referendum forms part of government’s broader governance reform agenda.

“If the referendum is successful, we will implement the amendments to the entrenched clauses. That is what we are doing with regard to governance,” he added.

He disclosed that he would soon inaugurate the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee.

The committee, he said, will review the Government’s position paper together with the reports of the Constitutional Review Commission and harmonise the proposals.

President Mahama explained that the committee will then separate the proposals into entrenched and non-entrenched provisions.

He said amendments affecting non-entrenched clauses will only require parliamentary approval.

“For non-entrenched clauses, we only need Parliamentary approval. We will put them before Parliament, and Members will vote and pass them,” he said.

For entrenched provisions, however, he said a referendum would be required.

“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 explained.