NPP NEC Meets Today To Decide Party’s Position On Constitution Review Proposals

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is scheduled to meet today to deliberate on and approve the party’s position paper on proposed changes to Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

The meeting comes after the NPP completed its assessment of the Constitution Review Committee’s (CRC) report as well as the government’s response to the proposed constitutional amendments.

The party’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Policy Committee conducted the review and produced a position paper setting out the NPP’s views on the recommendations.

The paper has since been presented to the party’s presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the NEC for consideration and possible adoption.

The outcome of today’s meeting is expected to establish the NPP’s official position on the proposed constitutional reforms before the party communicates its stance to the public.

Key proposals being considered include extending the presidential and parliamentary term to five years, introducing the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), increasing the number of Members of Parliament from 275 to 300 and lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35.

The government has also expressed support for allowing Ghanaians with dual citizenship to contest parliamentary elections, removing the death penalty and ensuring equal voting rights for all members in good standing of political parties in the selection of parliamentary and presidential candidates.

The NPP said its review was based partly on its involvement in the national constitutional review exercise, during which the party submitted its views to the CRC.

In a statement issued on August 28, the party said its Constitutional and Legal Affairs Policy Committee had undertaken a “detailed review” of the CRC’s report and the government’s response.

The party reaffirmed its commitment to a constitutional review process that is transparent, inclusive and orderly, with the aim of protecting Ghana’s democratic gains, strengthening constitutional institutions and supporting political stability and national development.

After the NEC has considered and approved the position paper, the NPP is expected to announce its official stance on the proposed amendments, including those it supports, opposes or believes require changes.