Amend Constitution to Change Election Date — Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

 

Former Majority Leader and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has called for an amendment of Ghana’s Constitution to move the general election date from December 7 to an earlier month. He believes such a change would allow for a smoother and more orderly transition between administrations.

GAAS Symposium

Speaking at a symposium organised by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) as part of its Founders Week celebration, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu addressed the theme, “Navigating Political Transitions in Ghana: Issues and Lessons.” He argued that Ghana’s current electoral schedule leaves inadequate time for comprehensive transitional arrangements.

He noted that when elections are held on December 7—with a possible run-off on December 28—there are only a few days left before the January 7 inauguration, creating what he described as a “democratic sprint” rather than a well-structured transition.

Empowering the Electoral Commission

To address this, he proposed a constitutional amendment that would empower the Electoral Commission (EC) to set the election date, ideally in October. This, he explained, would provide ample time for preparing handover notes, conducting security briefings, and ensuring administrative continuity before a new government takes office.

“The Electoral Commission could set the election day for the first Tuesday or even the first Monday in October to take advantage of the weekend. In that case, if a run-off is required, it would take place in the fourth week of October,” he stated.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu argued that a two-month interval between elections and inauguration would allow both outgoing and incoming governments to collaborate effectively for national stability.

He further called for the creation of a permanent, well-resourced Presidential Transition Secretariat to coordinate transition planning throughout the year. Such an institution, he said, would ensure that governments prepare adequately ahead of time rather than rushing after election results are declared.

“A well-managed transition is more than a democratic ritual — it is the defining act of democratic self-preservation,” he emphasized. “The issue now is not whether we obey the law, but how effectively we enforce it and how seriously we handle the institutional work of continuity.”

Addressing Constitutional Gaps

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also urged Parliament to address existing constitutional gaps that create uncertainty in presidential and parliamentary succession. He highlighted the lack of clear provisions regarding what should happen if a Vice-President dies or resigns, as well as how the President’s term should be extended during wartime.

He stressed that these ambiguities pose risks to Ghana’s democratic resilience and require urgent attention.

Source; theghanareport