By: Winifred Affum
At 5pm today, April 28, 2022, the President, Nana Akufo-Addo will address the nation on the 30th Anniversary of the jj approving the 1992 Constitution.
Many may not know, but the final draft constitution was unanimously approved by the people in a referendum on 28th April 1992 – thirty years ago today.
This Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Fourth Republic was promulgated in January 1993.
Here’s a recap of happenings that led Ghanaians to the polls in a referendum on a new constitution that would pave the way for multi-party democracy after a decade of military rule.
It was on a Tuesday, April 28 1992 when the journey to Constitutional rule began. The main issues were the reintroduction of multi-party politics and the division of powers between President and Parliament.
Ghana, a former British colony which in 1957 became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain Independence, had experienced three previous attempts at civilian government overthrown by the military.
The ruling council had governed since Dec. 31, 1981, when the elected administration of then President Dr Hilla Limann was overthrown. Both the ruling Provisional National Defense Council, headed by Flight Lt. Jerry Rawlings, and most of the opposition actively campaigned for a yes vote.
A yes vote would set the stage for the lifting of a decade-old ban on political parties on May 18, the planned start of campaigning for November Presidential Elections and December parliamentary polls.
There were Eight million, two hundred and fifty-five thousand, six hundred and ninety (8,255,690) registered voters for the referendum. At the end of polls, three million, four hundred and eight thousand, One hundred and nineteen people 3,408.119 representing 92.59% voted for whiles two hundred and seventy -two thousand, eight hundred and fifty-five, (272,855) representing 7.41% voted against.
Therefore, on 18 May 1992, the ban on party politics was lifted in preparation for multi-party elections.
The PNDC and its supporters formed a new party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to contest the elections.
Presidential Elections were held on November 3 and Parliamentary elections on December 29 of that year. Members of the opposition boycotted the Parliamentary Elections, however, which resulted in a 200-seat Parliament with only 17 Opposition party members and two independents.
The new Constitution entered into force on 7 January 1993, to found the Fourth Republic.
On that day, Flt Lt Rawlings was inaugurated as President and Members of Parliament swore their Oaths of Office.
