The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has warned the government against taking control of the campaign ahead of a referendum on proposed constitutional amendments.

Manhyia South MP and member of Parliament’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, says the NPP will vigorously campaign for its position once it is approved by the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

He said the party’s position is important because several proposed amendments could significantly alter the character of Ghana’s Constitution.

“Our supporters across the length and breadth of the Republic of Ghana must know the position of our party, and we are going to canvass vigorously, vigorously.”

“Once our position is approved by our flagbearer, we are going to go out and canvass vigorously for our people to appreciate our position and why we are taking that position.”

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, he said the referendum would involve entrenched provisions of the Constitution and could not be treated as an ordinary political exercise.

“Look, this is not an ordinary exercise; it’s a very significant exercise. If you look at the number of amendments put forward, it may end up changing the character of our constitution significantly.”

Mr Awuah said the NPP would not sit back and allow the governing party to dominate the process as happened during the 1992 constitutional arrangements.

“You don’t expect us to sit down as it happened in 1992, watch, very respectfully, the ruling party again take charge of the amendment process.”

He said the number of provisions requiring amendment would create a major public education challenge, particularly for ordinary voters.

“So there are very, very, you know, delicate issues that, you know, we can’t leave for the government alone to run it.”

He also questioned why the various stakeholder positions had not been mediated earlier to produce broader agreement.

He said the NPP had completed its position paper and submitted it to Dr Bawumia for approval.

“Very respectfully, we are done with it. We’ve submitted it to the flagbearer. He will soon come out with a position, and I’m sure it will be way ahead of the initiation of the processes.”

Mr Awuah confirmed that the document would be released before the end of 2026.

“Of course. It certainly will be before the end of this year.”

He said the party undertook extensive consultations in preparing its position, involving former Attorneys-General and senior lawyers.

“We had all our former Attorneys-General coming on board, Gloria Akuffo, Ayikoi Otoo, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Joe Ghartey, Godfred Yeboah Dame, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, Diana Asonaba Dapaah; we had Mr Frank Davies; we had all our senior lawyers and former Attorneys-General spending time together.”

“A lot of work has gone into it.”

The Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) was inaugurated on August 28, 2026, to implement the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Professor H. Kwesi Prempeh.

The 11-member CRIC is chaired by Presidential Legal Counsel Marietta Agyeiwaa Brew, with Oliver Barker-Vormawor serving as Secretary.

It is expected to examine the review proposals and government’s position and help translate agreed reforms into the appropriate legislative and constitutional amendment processes.

Mr Awuah’s comments add a political dimension to that process, with the NPP preparing to independently present and campaign for its position before Ghanaians.