President John Mahama Advances Constitutional Review as Stakeholders Push for Legal and Institutional Reforms

President John Mahama has intensified efforts to modernize Ghana’s governance framework, spearheading a comprehensive review of the 1992 Constitution. This process, which aims to align the nation’s foundational law with contemporary needs, has moved into a critical implementation phase. The Professor H. Kwesi Prempeh Constitution Review Committee has already submitted its analysis, leading to the formation of an 11-member Implementation Committee chaired by Marietta Brew. This body is tasked with translating recommendations into actionable legal changes, with a primary focus on reducing the heavy concentration of executive power and strengthening parliamentary oversight to ensure a more balanced distribution of authority.

Civil society organizations, spearheaded by the Citizens Platform on Constitutional Reforms, are calling for a transparent and legally backed roadmap to safeguard the process against political fluctuations. Advocates emphasize that the success of these reforms depends on broad public ownership, facilitated by nationwide civic education. A significant pillar of the ongoing discourse involves gender representation, with various groups pushing for constitutional guarantees, such as gender quotas and proportional representation, to enhance women’s participation in governance. The goal is to ensure the final amendments reflect the collective aspirations of all Ghanaians rather than the interests of a political few.

In tandem with these national efforts, the legal community is preparing for a landmark dialogue at the maiden Annual Bar Conference of the Ghana Law Society (GLS), scheduled for September 30, 2026. Under the theme “Legal Reforms: The Place of the Ghanaian Lawyer,” the conference will provide a platform for practitioners, judges, and policymakers to address policy gaps and ethical standards. GLS General Secretary Sam Atukwei Quaye noted that the event, expected to host Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, will be pivotal in defining the role of legal professionals in the country’s evolving democratic landscape.

Complementing these structural shifts, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has introduced a new regulatory framework for the non-profit sector. Minister Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey launched updated policy and operational documents on September 18, 2026, designed to enhance transparency and accountability within non-profit organisations (NPOs). The initiative adopts a risk-based regulatory approach, specifically addressing concerns raised in the Sectoral Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment. By fostering collaboration through a new Memorandum of Understanding with sector partners, the Ministry aims to secure the NPO sector’s role as a vital contributor to national development while maintaining rigorous oversight.

Together, these initiatives signal a period of profound institutional recalibration in Ghana. From the fundamental restructuring of the executive-legislative balance to the refinement of professional ethics and non-profit governance, the current administration and its partners are seeking to build a more resilient state. The coming months will be decisive as the Implementation Committee navigates the complexities of constitutional amendments and the legal community convenes to shape the future of practice, all within a broader push for a more inclusive and accountable Ghanaian democracy.