The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has clarified the direction of Ghana’s ongoing constitutional review, stating emphatically that the process will not culminate in the issuance of a white paper.

Speaking to journalists after a Thanksgiving Service organised by the Presidency to mark one year since President John Dramani Mahama assumed office, the Tamale South MP said there has been widespread misunderstanding about the nature and scope of the current constitutional review.

Mr Iddrisu explained that the exercise being led by Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh differs significantly from constitutional review processes established under Article 278 of the 1992 Constitution.

He noted that, unlike the Article 278 review initiated under former President J.E.A. Mills, the current process does not require the production of a white paper.

“Many people, including sections of the media, are still unclear about the constitutional review process,” he said.

“The review under the Prempeh Committee is not the same as one established under Article 278 of the Constitution.”

He revealed that the report submitted by the committee to President Mahama in December is currently undergoing scrutiny by a team of experienced lawyers.

According to him, the legal review is intended to ensure the report’s accuracy and constitutional soundness before it proceeds to the next phase.

Following this assessment, the Education Minister said the report will be subjected to extensive consultations, including Cabinet deliberations, engagements within political parties, and broader public discussions.

“After these engagements, what is acceptable will be declared and communicated to the public,” he explained.

Mr Iddrisu also referred to President Mahama’s announcement of plans to establish a constitutional review implementation committee.

He said the committee will be tasked with steering the reform process through both entrenched and non-entrenched constitutional provisions, in accordance with legal requirements.

“So those who expected a white paper have got it very wrong,” he stressed.

“This process was not established within the true meaning of Article 278, and therefore no white paper will be issued.”

President Mahama constituted the eight-member constitutional review committee in January last year, with Professor Prempeh, Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), as chair.

Other members include former Supreme Court Justice Sophia Adinyira, Professor Kwame Karikari, former Electoral Commission Chair Charlotte Osei, Dr Godwin Djokoto, Ibrahim Tanko Amidu, Dr Esi Ansah, and Dr Rainer Akumperigeya.

The committee submitted its final report in December.

Mr Iddrisu noted that 2026 will be a crucial governance year for President Mahama, adding that beyond restoring economic stability, the administration is focused on driving growth, transformation, and institutional reforms through the constitutional review process.