The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged the Majority and Minority caucuses to build bipartisan consensus on proposed amendments to the 1992 Constitution, warning that partisan disagreements could frustrate efforts to reform the country's governance framework.
He said constitutional reform must be approached as a national undertaking rather than a political contest between the governing party and the opposition.
Addressing Parliament at the commencement of the Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament in Accra last Tuesday, Mr Bagbin said the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice was expected to present a comprehensive Constitution Amendment Bill seeking changes to several non-entrenched provisions of the Constitution.
He called on the leadership of the House to begin consultations to build agreement on the proposed amendments.
"I urge leadership on both sides of the House to commence the necessary consultations and engagements to facilitate consensus-building on the proposed amendments," he said.
Constitution is for us all
The Speaker said more than three decades after the 1992 Constitution came into force, it was appropriate for the country to assess its constitutional experience and identify provisions that required refinement to meet the changing needs and aspirations of Ghanaians.
He acknowledged that the Constitution had provided the foundation for Ghana's democratic stability, but said some provisions required review to strengthen democratic governance, accountability, institutional effectiveness and responsiveness.
According to him, the central challenge was not merely whether the Constitution should be amended but how the proposed changes could be pursued with the broadest possible national consensus.
"It is the property of neither the government nor the opposition; it is the fundamental law that binds us together as one people under one Republic," he stated.
Mr Bagbin urged MPs to approach the proposed amendments with an open mind, a spirit of accommodation and a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.
Find common ground
He acknowledged that differences of opinion over the scope and implications of particular amendments were inevitable in a democracy, but cautioned against allowing such differences to obstruct reforms where broad agreement existed.
"We must be prepared to rise above our immediate political interests, set aside entrenched partisan positions and find the common ground necessary to advance reforms that will serve the long-term interests of our country," he said.
In his view, Parliament had a responsibility to ensure that public demand for appropriate constitutional reforms was not undermined by political disagreements or unwillingness to compromise.
Existing Bill
Mr Bagbin clarified that the anticipated comprehensive bill would not affect the Constitution of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2026, already before Parliament.
The existing bill, he explained, sought to address constitutional provisions relating to dual citizenship and eligibility for public office and must continue to receive attention in accordance with the Constitution and the Standing Orders of the House.
History, he said, would judge the current Parliament not only by the positions taken on constitutional reform but also by its ability to work together to deliver changes that would strengthen Ghana's democratic foundations for present and future generations.
"Let us demonstrate that, when the national interest demands it, this House is capable of speaking with one voice and acting with a shared sense of responsibility," he said.
Pull quote:"I urge leadership on both sides of the House to commence the necessary consultations and engagements to facilitate consensus-building on the proposed amendments."
