Check out IEA’s 18-point position on key Constitutional review proposals

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has outlined its 18-point position on key proposals from Ghana's 1992 Constitution review, presented on September 2, 2026. The IEA acknowledged the Constitution's role in Ghana's democratic stability, noting its provision for nine Parliaments, five Presidents, and four peaceful power transfers. However, the IEA identified persistent gaps, ambiguities, weak institutions, and excessive Executive powers as justifications for constitutional reform.

The IEA participated in the constitutional reform process, including the 2011 Fiadjoe Constitutional Review Commission, and established the Oquaye Centre for Constitutional Studies in 2022 to promote public discussions. The IEA submitted a detailed report containing its recommendations after the Prempeh Committee's report and the government's response.

The IEA supported the need for detailed provisions to substantially reduce the President's "overwhelming appointing powers," with appointments to public offices to be inclusive and based on merit. The IEA rejected the proposal to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years, arguing that four years were sufficient for an elected government to implement its programme.

The IEA called for the Judicial Council to be reformed into an independent body responsible for judicial appointments, citing transparency, protection of the Judiciary's structural independence, and independent input into the selection of all judicial officers. The IEA supported the principle of limiting the number of Supreme Court judges but suggested the cap should be linked to the Court's jurisdiction and caseload.