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, decentralisation, 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).
Recent Developments
- A controversial bill was introduced to criminalise LGBTQI+ activities, sparking significant national and international debates on human rights and discrimination.
- Prominent political figures and stakeholders, including John Dramani Mahama, have called for a comprehensive review of the 1992 Constitution to address systemic inequalities, enhance judicial independence, and modernise governance structures.