Accra, Sept. 12, GNA – The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has rejected some proposals of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) including the five-year Presidential term limit.
In a statement issued on September 9, the Union said extending the Presidential term from four to five years could make citizens endure consequences for a longer period in the event of misgovernance.
“The TUC has taken note of the recommendation to extend the presidential term from four to five years and the Government’s acceptance of that recommendation…” the statement said.
“This recommendation is, therefore, tied to other recommendations that are intended to strengthen and improve governance. One cannot, therefore, merely agree to tenure extension and leave everything else the same.”
The statement is in response to the CRC report and the Government’s position on the recommendations, published on July 30, 2026. The CRC submitted its final report to government in December 2025.
Highlighting aspects of the report, the Union endorsed the recommendation to amend Article 78(1) of the Constitution to bar Members of Parliament from being appointed as Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers, or Regional Ministers.
“We do not expect Ministers of State to act simultaneously as Members of Parliament in a reformed Constitution,” the statement said.
“However, the TUC does not support the CRC recommendation that an MP who resigns from Parliament must be barred from appointment as a Minister during the term of the Parliament to which the member was elected.”
The TUC disagreed with the recommendation to allow dual citizens to contest parliamentary elections and become members of parliament while remaining a citizen of another country.
It further expressed concern over the composition of the Council of State, stating that the members appointed by the President to the Council must not be more than five.
On the Election of District Chief Executives (DCEs), the Union insisted that Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies must be allowed the autonomy to conduct their elections without a central government selecting candidates for them.
The CRC proposed that an incumbent government will select or nominate five candidates, out of which three will be shortlisted as candidates for election of a DCE, however, the TUC believes that arrangement must be reconsidered.
It, however, supported the recommendation to amend Article 242 to change the composition of District Assemblies.
“We do not see the practical difficulties in implementing allocations to traditional authorities, women, business owners, persons with disability, the youth, and non-governmental organisations as argued in the Government Position Paper,” the statement said.
The Government, it said, had rejected about 54 per cent of the recommendations made by the CRC, which included memorandum submitted by other groups.
“The CRC made general recommendations for improving management of Ghana’s mineral resources. Government rejected all the recommendations,” it noted.
“The TUC finds it strange that, given all the historical and contemporary concerns over our lands and natural resources, government finds no value in all the recommendations by the CRC.”
The statement accepted the proposal seeking to reform the legal framework for managing the country’s lands and natural resources.
“The TUC agrees with the recommendation to vest our lands in the people of Ghana and not a President. We also agree that the Lands Commission be reformed to play the role of a primary constitutional trustee and manager of our lands,” it said.
“The TUC agrees to the CRC recommendation for amendment of Article 268 to require prior parliamentary approval before signing of any granting or signing of any natural resource agreement or concession.”
The TUC commended the work of the CRC and called for inclusivity in the implementation of the Constitution reforms.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe