TUC raises concerns over government’s rejection of 54% of constitutional review proposals

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed apprehension over the government's rejection of a substantial portion of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) report recommendations. The TUC Secretary General, Joshua Ansah, highlighted at a press conference that this decision may compromise the inclusiveness and credibility of Ghana's constitutional reform process.

According to Ansah, the extent of the government's rejection implies that the issues to be put to a proposed referendum may be largely determined by the government, rather than encompassing the full range of stakeholder recommendations. He emphasized that the proposed referendum will be based on issues exclusively selected by the government, excluding those favored by other groups.

This could set an undesirable precedent for future constitutional amendments, especially where a government possesses a strong parliamentary majority. Ansah warned that future administrations might exploit this process to implement constitutional changes that align with their political interests or campaign promises. He cautioned that the union is particularly concerned about the possibility of a legal avenue being created for future governments to amend non-entrenched provisions of the Constitution in line with their political objectives.

The TUC is advocating for a more comprehensive and inclusive reform process that takes into account the views and interests of various segments of Ghanaian society. Mr. Ansah stressed that constitutional reform should enhance democratic governance and ensure meaningful citizen participation in shaping the country’s supreme law. The TUC had previously submitted a memorandum to the CRC and testified before the committee to present and explain its proposals.

The CRC forwarded its final report to the government in December 2025, and the government subsequently published the report along with its stance on the recommendations on July 30, 2026. Ansah reiterated that the TUC would continue to engage in the constitutional review process to advocate for reforms safeguarding the interests of workers and the broader Ghanaian populace.