Mahama to lead decisive Cabinet meeting over Constitution Review today

Ghana’s constitutional reform process is expected to reach a major turning point today as President John Dramani Mahama chairs a special Cabinet meeting to deliberate on the government’s official position regarding the long-awaited Constitution Review recommendations.

The high-level meeting, scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026, is considered a critical step in Ghana’s democratic and governance reform agenda, with the outcome expected to shape the future direction of constitutional amendments in the country.

The special Cabinet session follows months of extensive legal consultations and administrative reviews carried out by the Office of the Attorney General together with the President’s legal advisors. Their work focused on examining the recommendations submitted by the Constitution Review Committee and assessing their legal, political and practical implications before presenting them to Cabinet for consideration.

Government spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed that President Mahama insisted on a thorough and detailed analysis of the committee’s report before any formal government position could be adopted.

According to him, the legal review phase has now been completed, paving the way for Cabinet to take a final decision on the proposed reforms through a draft “Position Paper.”

“So Thursday, 14th May, there will be a special Cabinet session chaired by the President himself to consider the draft position paper,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stated during an interview on Joy News.

The spokesperson explained that unlike reports produced by a traditional Commission of Inquiry, the constitutional review process requires the government to issue a “Position Paper” instead of a “White Paper” because of the unique legal framework guiding the review exercise.

The Position Paper will outline the government’s official response to the numerous constitutional reform proposals submitted for consideration. Once approved by Cabinet, it will become the foundation for the next phase of implementation and public engagement.

Government sources indicate that not every recommendation contained in the report will automatically be adopted. Each proposal is expected to undergo a strict feasibility and national interest assessment before final approval is granted.

As part of the evaluation process, some recommendations may be fully accepted, others revised or modified, while proposals considered impractical or inconsistent with national priorities could be rejected entirely.

Officials say the approach is intended to ensure that any constitutional reforms introduced are realistic, legally sound and beneficial to Ghana’s democratic governance system.

Mr. Kwakye Ofosu also emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency, noting that the approved Position Paper will later be released to the public to enable citizens to fully understand the government’s stance on the proposed constitutional changes.

“The approved document will later be made public for citizens to understand the government’s position,” he stated.

Beyond the Cabinet deliberations, the government is already preparing for the next stages of the constitutional reform process. Key implementation measures expected to follow include the establishment of a dedicated Implementation Committee to supervise the transition and coordinate legal reforms.

The administration also plans to embark on nationwide public sensitisation campaigns aimed at educating citizens on the proposed constitutional amendments and their potential impact on governance, accountability and democratic institutions.

Additionally, proposals approved by Cabinet may eventually be forwarded to Parliament or subjected to a national referendum, depending on the constitutional requirements governing specific amendments.

Political analysts believe the outcome of today’s Cabinet meeting could significantly influence Ghana’s democratic evolution, governance structure and institutional reforms for years to come.

While Cabinet may discuss other pressing national matters during the session, government officials have maintained that the Constitution Review Position Paper remains the central focus of the meeting.

If approved, the process could usher Ghana into a new phase of constitutional renewal aimed at strengthening democratic governance, accountability and citizen participation in national development.