The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) has recommended the restructuring of the Electoral Commission, the National Commission for Civic Education and the National Media Commission.
The Commission wants the restructuring to focus on clearer appointment processes, security of tenure, improved funding and stronger regulatory mandates, while safeguarding media freedom.
It further calls for a long-term National Development Plan, aligned with annual budgets and overseen by a strengthened National Development Planning Commission.
Presenting its final report to President John Dramani Mahama, the Committee led by Professor Henry Kwesi Prempeh also recommended reforms to land administration, natural resource governance, mining revenue allocation to host communities, environmental protection—including recognition of ecocide—and the creation of new oversight bodies such as an Independent Fiscal Council and a Natural Resources Commission.
Public finance and state enterprises
The CRC proposed stricter controls on tax exemptions, public borrowing and debt, enhanced independence for the Central Bank and Government Statistician, and constitutional recognition of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) to improve corporate governance of state-owned enterprises, including merit-based appointments and fixed tenures for CEOs.
To restore public confidence, the committee recommends reform — not abolition — of the Council of State, sweeping judicial reforms covering appointments, tenure, removal and financial independence, and the creation of a new constitutional Anti-Corruption and Ethics Commission.
Additionally, the CRC has also called for depoliticising the public service, strengthening the Public Services Commission, protecting public officers from political interference, enforcing asset declaration, addressing unexplained wealth and introducing clearer sanctions for misconduct.
Rights, inclusion and social justice
On human rights, the CRC proposes reforms on multiple citizenship, gender equality, disability rights, digital privacy, access to health, housing, food and education, legal aid, fair trial guarantees and the abolition of the death penalty. It also seeks to close discrimination gaps affecting women, Zongo communities and historically mobile groups.
Decentralisation and local development
Declaring that “all development is local”, the committee recommends the election of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives, the creation of an independent devolution commission, fiscal decentralisation reforms, and clearer roles for traditional authorities while keeping chiefs out of active party politics.
Security sector reforms
The report proposes consolidating security services into a single constitutional framework, strengthening civilian oversight, clarifying the deployment of the armed forces for internal security, and reforming police and prison governance structures.
Below are the full recommendations submitted to the President.
Final-Recommendations-of-the-CRC_Presented-to-President-Mahama-2
