Set aside political differences for national devt — Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to put aside their political differences and work together toward a shared national development agenda.

He pointed out that while unity was often visible during moments of cultural celebration, the country must demonstrate the same collective spirit in times of political disagreement.

“Unity in moments of cultural pride has proved easier than unity in moments of political disagreement. If we can mobilise that same collective resolve for our development agenda, we will see real progress,” he said.

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President Mahama made the call when he delivered the 2026 State of the Nation Address in Parliament today (February 27).

He said the country’s current development aspirations required a similar unity of purpose and, therefore, urged the citizenry to reject misinformation and divisive narratives.

“Mr Speaker, our pursuit of national development today demands that same unity of purpose.

We must reject misrepresentation and distortion that detract from our collective progress.”

“We must guard our development as firmly as we guard our cultural identity. We must act as one people with one purpose,” he added.

Unity

President Mahama said the country’s pursuit of national development demanded the “same unity of purpose.

We must act as one people with one purpose.” 

He said it was on the score that the citizenry must “live each day mindful that the Republic is larger than any one political party, any office, any individual.”

On the Constitutional Review Report, the President said the Attorney-General’s Office was now working with other stakeholders to convert the recommendations into concrete legal and constitutional amendment proposals for parliamentary consideration.

Background

The Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh-led Constitution Review Committee presented the final report to President Mahama on Monday, December 22, 2025, outlining recommendations aimed at strengthening governance and improving the effectiveness of the Constitution.

It proposed far-reaching reforms to Ghana’s governance framework, including longer electoral terms, a leaner executive and stronger independent institutions.

Aside from placing a cap on the number of Supreme Court judges, the CRC also recommended that appeals from the lower courts should terminate at the Court of Appeal.
Election petitions

The committee also recommended that Presidential election petitions should be heard and determined by the Supreme Court within 30 days after they are brought.

The committee further recommended that the size of Parliament be capped at its current level as part of reforms aimed at reducing the cost of governance and strengthening representative democracy.

Political participation

On political participation, the CRC proposed allowing dual citizens by birth to contest parliamentary elections, describing the current restrictions as discriminatory and inconsistent with the country’s democratic values.