The Constitutional Review Committee has released a comprehensive report outlining several landmark recommendations aimed at restructuring the nation’s governance and enhancing institutional independence.
Among the most significant proposals is the extension of both presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years, while strictly maintaining the two-term limit for the presidency. In a bid to increase political inclusivity, the committee has recommended lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 30 years and allowing dual citizens by birth to contest for seats in Parliament.
The report suggests several measures to curb executive influence and promote fiscal accountability, including a proposal to make the President subject to taxation like any other citizen. The committee further recommends capping the total number of ministers at 57 and decoupling the executive from the legislature by prohibiting Members of Parliament from serving as ministers.
To ensure greater transparency in public spending, the report calls for the replacement of Article 71 arrangements with an Independent Public Emoluments Commission to determine salaries and benefits, alongside the introduction of a pension scheme for Members of Parliament (MPs’) to replace traditional gratuities.
Legislative and electoral reforms also feature prominently in the findings, with a proposed cap of 276 MPs and a shift of the general election date to November to allow for a more stable transition period.
The committee has suggested major changes to the Electoral Commission, advocating for a leadership structure consisting of only a Commissioner and two Deputies appointed through a merit-based process. Additionally, the report emphasizes the need for deeper decentralization through the election of local leaders and the strengthening of independent bodies like the National Commission for Civic Education to ensure a more robust democratic framework.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
