CRC Report: TUC rejects proposed five-year presidential term, dual citizenship for MPs

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has dismissed several suggestions put forth by the Constitution Review Committee (CRC), including the five-year presidential term limit. A TUC statement released on September 9 explained that extending the presidential term from four to five years could potentially burden citizens during periods of poor governance.

The statement noted that the recommendation to extend the presidential term is linked to other proposals aimed at enhancing governance, and therefore cannot be accepted in isolation.

The TUC also endorsed the recommendation to prohibit Members of Parliament from simultaneously serving as Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers, or Regional Ministers. However, it disagreed with the CRC's suggestion that an MP who resigns from Parliament must be barred from becoming a Minister during the same term. The Union further objected to the proposal that permits dual citizenship, allowing individuals to contest parliamentary elections and hold dual nationalities simultaneously.

Concerning the composition of the Council of State, the TUC expressed worry that more than five members appointed by the President should not serve on the body. Regarding District Chief Executives (DCE) elections, the TUC advocated for allowing Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to manage their elections independently, without centralized government selection of candidates. The Union believed that this arrangement should be reconsidered, as per the CRC's proposal.

The TUC agreed with the CRC's suggestion to amend Article 242 to change the composition of District Assemblies, highlighting a lack of practical issues in implementing allocations for traditional authorities, women, business owners, persons with disabilities, the youth, and non-governmental organizations. The government rejected around 54% of the CRC recommendations, which also included those submitted by other groups.

The TUC welcomed the proposal to reform the legal framework governing Ghana's mineral resources but disagreed with the government's decision to reject all the recommendations. The Union supported the CRC's recommendation to place lands in the hands of the people of Ghana rather than the President and endorsed the reformation of the Lands Commission to act as a primary constitutional trustee and manager of the country's natural resources.