The Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has recommended capping the size of Ghana’s Parliament at its current level to reduce the cost of governance and strengthen representative democracy. The committee suggests that the continuous expansion of Parliament has placed a growing financial burden on the state without corresponding improvements in legislative efficiency or representation.
The CRC proposes that the number of Members of Parliament be capped at 277, which is the current number of constituencies plus one. This recommendation aims to prevent further expansion and associated fiscal strain on the public purse.
Other key recommendations from the CRC include:
– Separation of Parliament from the Executive: Ending the constitutional requirement for the President to appoint Ministers from among MPs to strengthen legislative oversight.
– Extension of Electoral Terms: Increasing the presidential and parliamentary terms from four to five years to reduce election costs and allow governments more time to implement policies.
– Inclusion of Dual Citizens: Allowing Ghanaians with dual citizenship to contest parliamentary elections.
These recommendations are expected to undergo further consideration and may require constitutional amendments and a national referendum.
