1957 Constitution
Ghana's first constitution after independence, providing the framework for self-governance within the British Commonwealth.
- Established a parliamentary system with a Prime Minister as the head of government and the British Monarch as the ceremonial head of state, represented by a Governor-General.
1960 Constitution | Establishment of the Republic
- Under the leadership of the Convention People's Party (CPP) and Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana transitioned from a constitutional monarchy to a republic.
Replaced the British Monarch with an executive President as the head of state.
Introduced a presidential system with increased executive powers concentrated in the President.
Marked the beginning of the First Republic under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of the Convention People's Party (CPP).
1964 Constitutional Amendments | One-Party State
Enacted during the First Republic under Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's leadership.
- Declared Ghana a one-party state with the CPP as the sole legal party.
- Granted the President powers to dismiss judges and amend the constitution without parliamentary approval.
1969 Constitution | Return to Civilian Rule
Enacted after the overthrow of Nkrumah's government in 1966 by the National Liberation Council (NLC).
Reintroduced multi-party democracy.
Established a parliamentary system with a Prime Minister as head of government and a ceremonial President.
Ushered in the Second Republic under the Progress Party (PP) led by Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia.
1979 Constitution | Third Republic
Implemented following the overthrow of the military regime of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) and a return to civilian rule.
- Introduced a hybrid presidential-parliamentary system.
Established checks and balances among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
Ushered in the Third Republic under President Hilla Limann of the People's National Party (PNP).
1992 Constitution | Fourth Republic
Adopted after a national referendum, marking the beginning of the Fourth Republic.
- Established a strong executive presidency, a multi-party system, and an independent judiciary.
Created provisions for fundamental human rights, decentralization, and national unity.
Became the longest-serving constitution in Ghana's history.
- Various proposals have been made to address issues such as decentralization, gender equality, and the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
Calls for amendments to strengthen governance structures and address emerging societal challenges.
Recent Developments
- A controversial bill introduced to criminalize LGBTQI+ activities, sparking significant national and international debates on human rights and discrimination.
Prominent political figures and stakeholders, including former President John Dramani Mahama, have called for a comprehensive review of the 1992 Constitution to address systemic inequalities, enhance judicial independence, and modernize governance structures.