The process included a referendum on 28 april to adopt a new constitution drafted by the consultative assembly, as well as a presidential election on 3 november and parliamentary polling on. As ghana prepares for a constitutional referendum scheduled for december 17 aimed at amending article 55 3 of the west african nations 1992 constitution, the local ordinary of tamale, archbishop philip naameh is concerned that not much is being done to publicize the event and create awareness about the important national exercise. October 31 pope john paul ii issues an apology and lifts the edict of inquisition on galileo galilei. Ghanaians in the 1992 referendum which birthed for us the 1992 constitution. The proposed amendments to the constitution would have allowed for the direct election of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives mmdces and allow political parties to be involved in local elections background. Ghana is a unitary republic with an executive presidency and a multiparty political system. Ghanas constitution was approved by referendum in 1992. A highly accessible, easy to use app version of the constitution of ghana the supreme law of the republic of ghana. The constitution came into effect on january 7, 1993, providing the basic charter for the countrys fourth attempt at republican democratic government since independence in 1957. Ghana is a constitutional republic dominated by a strong presidency. Ghanaians adopted 1992 constitution 24yrs today graphic.
Six years later, though, on february 24, 1966, the ghanaian military intervened. Nov 26, 2014 these clauses in ghanaian constitutional usage it must be notedrefer not necessarily to immutable or unamendable provisions but rather provisions whose amendability per article 290 4 require. Browse and navigate ghana constitution in easy, natural real time and advanced. Oct 22, 2019 within what time frame will the elections and the referendum take place. Introduction the renaissance of constitutional democracy in 1992 in ghana requires analysis of the constitutional system of the state of the republic of ghana. Alhaji abdul saani, the northern regional director of the national commission for civic education ncce has urged religious leaders and traditional authorities to encourage the citizenry to actively participate in the upcoming district level elections and referendum for constitutional amendment. The president shall refer the recommendations to the electoral commission, and the referendum shall be held in a manner. Since the return to constitutional rule in 1992, ghana. Ghana is a stable country, with an apolitical military, a solid record on human rights, and a lively, free media. During these years, ghana championed the liberation and independence movements across africa while internally becoming an authoritarian state. The main issues were the reintroduction of multiparty politics and the division of. The national legislature is the unicameral parliament, whose 275 members are elected by universal adult suffrage every four years.
Aug 23, 2018 1992 constitution not helpful to ghanas democracy samia. Powers of state three powers of state can be identified from the. The 1992 constitution came into force for the fourth republic of ghana, on january 7th 1993, following its overwhelming approval in a referendum held on april 28th 1992. He explained that citizens active participation in the exercise would ensure the. Next to the holy bible, the holy quran, and the morning libation, the constitution is slowly becoming the daily bread of the ghanaian. This day marks the coming into effect of the 1992 constitution and the birth of the fourth republic on this day in 1993. The evoluation of ghana law since independence assembly is curtailed, however, by the necessity for presidential assent before a bill can become effective, 6 by the prohibition of amendments of the annual estimates money bills submitted by the cabinet,7 and is at least qualified by the special. Any law, already existing or made thereafter that is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution is void and of no legal effect.
Although the constitution of canada does not expressly require that amendments be approved by referendum, many argue that, in light of the precedent set by the charlottetown accord referendum, this may have become a. There were 8,255,690 registered voters for the referendum. The main issue was a change in the countrys status from a constitutional monarchy with elizabeth ii as head of state, to a republic with a presidential system of government there were 2,098,651 voters registered for the referendum. Constitution of the republic of ghana adopted 1992 preamble in the name of the almighty god we the people of ghana, in exercise of our natural and inalienable right to establish a framework of government which shall. The assembly prepared a draft constitution based on proposals submitted to it by the pndc, as well as previous constitutions of 1957, 1969 and 1979, and the report of the committee of experts.
Every ghanaian living everywhere ghanaian american ghanaian fa cup ghanaian times ghanaian cedi ghanaian constitutional referendum, 1960 ghanaian constitutional referendum, 1964 ghanaian constitutional referendum, 1992 ghanaian cuisine ghanaian governmental referendum, 1978 ghanaian media ghanaian music ghanaian name ghanaian. These provisions were inspired to a large extent by current law and by the practice of local government under the pndc. The final draft constitution was unanimously approved by the people in a referendum on 28 april 1992. It was approved on 28 april 1992 through a national referendum after 92% support. The main issues were the reintroduction of multiparty politics and the division of powers between the president and parliament. Social context religion was always and is still, to a large extent, an integral part of the lifestyle of the african in the traditional environment. Referendum approves merging british togoland with the gold coast colony. In may 1992, the pndc announced the lifting of the ban on party politics. Constitution, the constitution of ghana was adopted by referendum in april 1992 and came into force on the 28 of april 19921.
Amendments to the constitution in 1960 transformed ghana into a republic under. Sep 18, 2018 the constitution of the republic of the republic of ghana 1992 1. Constitution was later submitted for public approval in a referendum. October 25 lithuania holds a constitutional referendum. Ghanas constitution of 1992 with amendments through 1996. To ascertain from the good people of ghana their views on the operation of the 1992 constitution, in particular its strength and weakness.
The most recent was a referendum in 1992 on a package of proposed constitutional measures known as the charlottetown accord. Powers of state three powers of state can be identified from the constitution of the republic of ghana 1992. A new constitution, based on the us model, was approved by national referendum in april 1992. Browse and navigate ghana constitution in easy, natural real. A referendum because article 55 is a provision of the 1992 republican constitution of ghana, described as entrenched, and which, therefore, can only be amended through a referendum. Jan 07, 2020 constitution day is a statutory public holiday in ghana, observed on the 7th of january. The main issue was a change in the countrys status from a constitutional monarchy with elizabeth ii as head of state, to a republic with a presidential system of government there were. The constitution was approved at the referendum held on 28 april 1992 and promulgated by the constitution of the fourth republic of ghana promulgation law, 1992. He declares ghana a oneparty state and bans all opposition parties. This constitution was presented to the people of ghana in a referendum on 28 april 1992 and overwhelmingly endorsed, with opposition groups within ghana, unlike those in exile, urging acceptance.
Ghanas december referendum not receiving enough attention. The constitutional amendments of 1960 gradually transformed ghana into a one party state in which fundamental rights and political participation were either severely restricted or completely banned. A constitutional referendum will be held in ghana on december 17. In the april 1992 national referendum, the draft constitution was overwhelmingly approved by about 92 percent of voters. A preelection assessment report, june 1, 1992 ifes. In an election and constitutional referendum, ghana becomes a republic and nkrumah becomes president. Ghana is a unitary republic with an executive presidency and. Although the constitution of canada does not expressly require that amendments be approved by referendum, many argue that, in light of the precedent set by the.
Electoral systems that monitored the 1992 referendum, rawlings and the pndc remain. Following a constitutional referendum in 1960, ghana became a republic with nkrumah as its first elected president. Whereas the consultative assembly submitted the draft constitution for the republic of ghana to the pndc on 31st march, 1992. Constitution of the republic of ghana amendment act, 1996 attaining the age of sixty years may, where the exigencies of the service require, be engaged for. Today in history, exactly 27 years ago, the 1992 constitution. The proposed amendments to the constitution would allow for the direct election of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives mmdces and allow political parties to be involved in local elections. Ghanas transition to constitutional rule, accra 1991, p. Ghanaian constitutional referendum, 1960 infogalactic. The referendum is in fulfilment of the 1992 constitutional requirement for the electorate to approve or reject a question as to whether article 55 3 should be rejected or approved by the electorate. These clauses in ghanaian constitutional usage it must be notedrefer not necessarily to immutable or unamendable provisions but rather provisions whose amendability per article 290 4 require. And whereas the people of ghana approved the said constitution for the administration of ghana to come into force on 7th day of january, 1993. The latest amendment included here is the constitution of the republic of ghana amendment act, 1996 which was assented on 16 december 1996.
Below is the 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana, arranged by chapters. The terms of reference of the commission are basically three 3 and i would summarize them as follows. The team was present for the ghanaian constitutional referendum on april 28. From april 22 through may 8, 1992, a team from the international foundation for electoral systems ifes composed of laurie cooper, fred hayward and tony lee traveled to ghana to conduct a study of the government of ghanas electoral system. Supremacy of the constitution 1 the sovereignty of ghana resides in the people of ghana in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised in the manner and within the limits laid down in this constitution. There were 2,098,651 voters registered for the referendum. A constitutional referendum was held in ghana on 27 april 1960.
To prepare ghana for constitutional rule, rawlings called for the formation. Encourage citizenry to participate in referendum ghanaian. Referendums are rare in canada and only three have ever occurred at the federal level. Constitution of ghana wikisource, the free online library. Every activity was a religious exercise, and the individual was left to relate to his or her maker according to how it satisfied the spiritual. He explained that citizens active participation in the exercise would ensure the election of. News ghana is ghanas leading online news portal for business in west africa and around the world. A constitutional referendum was scheduled to be held in ghana on 17 december 2019, alongside district level elections. Nov 24, 2010 the commission derives its mandate from constitutional instrument 64 c. Jan 27, 2003 introduction the renaissance of constitutional democracy in 1992 in ghana requires analysis of the constitutional system of the state of the republic of ghana. The 1992 constitution of the republic of ghana was approved on 28th april 1992 through a national referendum after 92% support. The national legislature is the unicameral parliament.
Flowing from the above, ghanaians are equally invested in the 1992 constitution. Parliaments all over the world are important tools for the entrenchment of democracy in a society that is mindful of the development of its human resource, material resource and the environment. A referendum on a new constitution was held in ghana on 28 april 1992. Constitution day is a statutory public holiday in ghana, observed on the 7th of january. Every ghanaian living everywhere ghanaian american ghanaian fa cup ghanaian times ghanaian cedi ghanaian constitutional referendum, 1960 ghanaian constitutional referendum, 1964 ghanaian constitutional referendum, 1992 ghanaian cuisine ghanaian governmental referendum, 1978 ghanaian media ghanaian music ghanaian name ghanaian parliamentary.
As ghana prepares for a constitutional referendum scheduled for december 17 aimed at amending article 55 3 of the west african nations 1992 constitution, the local ordinary of tamale, archbishop philip naameh is concerned that not much is being done to publicize the event and create awareness about the important national. This day marks the adoption of the 4th republican constitutional dispensation of ghana which started on 7th january 1993. In december 1981 jerry rawlings had come to power in a military coup. It then discusses how this doctrine was imported into ghana and applied by the ghanaian judiciary. The 1992 constitution contains the most explicit and comprehensive provisions in ghanas postcolonial constitutional history regarding the system of local government as a decentralized form of national administration.
Whereas the said draft constitution was submitted to a national referendum held throughout ghana on the 28th april, 1992. Ghanas return to constitutional rule under the provisional. A ghanaian citizen who loses his ghanaian citizenship as a result of the acquisition or possession of the citizenship of a country other. The supreme law that we have promulgated to govern our relationship and survival as a people is the constitution, 1992. On 6 march 1992, head of state jerry rawlings, who had been in power for the past 11 years, announced plans for a return to civilian rule by 7 january 1993. The main issue was a change in the countrys status from a constitutional monarchy with elizabeth ii as head of state, to a republic with a presidential system of government. A constitutional referendum will be held in ghana on 26 november 2019, alongside local elections. Within what time frame will the elections and the referendum take place.