TUC rejects dual citizenship for MPs, backs election of DCEs in constitutional reform proposals

By: Eugene Dogbatse Atsu
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has opposed allowing dual citizens to become Members of Parliament and backed key constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening governance and accountability.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on September 9, 2026, TUC Secretary General Joshua Ansah presented the labour movement’s formal position on the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) recommendations, saying the organisation had carefully examined the proposals and would submit a detailed response to support the ongoing constitutional reform process.

On the issue of Parliament and ministerial appointments, Mr Ansah said the TUC supports the CRC’s recommendation to prohibit Members of Parliament from simultaneously serving as ministers, deputy ministers or regional ministers.

According to him, separating the Executive from the Legislature would strengthen accountability and improve Parliament’s oversight role.

“We support the recommendation that MPs should not serve concurrently as ministers, deputy ministers or regional ministers,” he stated.

However, the TUC disagreed with any proposal that would prevent a resigned MP from being appointed as a minister during the same parliamentary term, describing such a restriction as unnecessary.

The labour body also strongly opposed proposals to amend Article 94(2)(a) of the Constitution to allow dual citizens to contest parliamentary elections.

Mr Ansah described the recommendation as “a direct assault on genuine citizenship,” arguing that it was contradictory and served no useful national purpose.

“We strongly oppose the recommendation to permit dual citizens to become Members of Parliament. It is a direct assault on genuine citizenship and serves no useful purpose,” he said.

On the Council of State, the TUC called for major reforms to improve its effectiveness.

It argued that the current composition gives excessive influence to presidential appointees and weakens the institution’s independence.

“The number of presidential appointees must be capped at not more than five members if the Council of State is to become more effective and independent,” Mr Ansah noted.

Regarding local governance, the TUC endorsed the CRC’s recommendation that all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (DCEs) should be elected at the same time across the country.

However, it rejected the government’s proposal that the incumbent administration should nominate five candidates for DCE elections before a shortlist of three is presented to voters.

“Districts must be allowed to elect their leaders without central government determining who qualifies to contest,” Mr Ansah stressed.

The TUC also supported proposed changes to the composition of District Assemblies, rejecting government concerns that reserved representation for traditional authorities, women, business owners, persons with disabilities, youth groups and non-governmental organisations would be impractical.

On lands and natural resources, the labour organisation questioned the government’s rejection of all CRC recommendations on mineral resource management.

Mr Ansah described the government’s position as “strange” and reaffirmed the TUC’s support for reforms that would vest lands in the people of Ghana rather than the President.

He said the TUC also supports strengthening the Lands Commission as the primary constitutional trustee and manager of public lands and requiring parliamentary approval before any natural resource agreement or concession is signed.

“We agree that Parliament must approve all natural resource agreements before they are concluded. These resources belong to the people of Ghana and must be managed transparently and in the national interest,” he said.