NPP warns government against taking control of constitutional referendum campaign

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has cautioned the government against assuming control of the campaign leading up to a referendum on proposed constitutional amendments. Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, a Manhyia South MP and member of Parliament’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, stated that the NPP will actively campaign for its stance upon approval by the party's leader, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

He emphasized the significance of the NPP's position due to the potential for proposed amendments to substantially modify Ghana's Constitution. "Our supporters across the Republic of Ghana must be aware of our party's position, and we will campaign vigorously," Awuah said. He clarified that the referendum would focus on entrenched constitutional provisions, not merely a routine political exercise.

Awuah stressed that the NPP would not tolerate the government dominating the amendment process, as occurred during the 1992 constitutional arrangements. He highlighted the extensive public education challenges that the proposed amendments would pose, particularly for general voters. Awuah questioned the lack of prior mediation among the various stakeholder positions, suggesting that the NPP had finalized its position paper and submitted it to Dr Bawumia for approval.

The document is expected to be released before the end of 2026. Awuah emphasized that the NPP conducted thorough consultations, including former Attorneys-General and senior legal experts, in formulating its position. The Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC), inaugurated on August 28, 2026, will oversee the review process and ensure the enactment of agreed-upon reforms.