Constitutional Committee proposes reform: Presidents should pay tax

The Constitutional Review Consultative Committee has recommended an amendment to Article 68 (5) of the country’s constitution, which exempts the President from paying income tax.

The committee proposes that the President should be subject to taxation on their salary and emoluments, setting an example for all citizens.

The proposed change aims to uphold the principle of equality before the law and align with the broader concept of the rule of law.

By deleting Article 68 (5), the committee seeks to mandate that the President pays taxes, necessitating consequential adjustments in the country’s income tax legislation.

The Constitutional Review Committee, chaired by Clare Kasser-Tee was established by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

Its mandate includes reviewing submissions, proposals, and reports from various constitutional review platforms, including institutions like the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the Institute of Economic Affairs, and the University of Ghana Law School.

The committee collaborated with partners such as the National Commission on Civic Education, the Africa Centre for Economic Transformation, and the Centre for Democratic Development.

These recommendations, presented to Minister Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on June 13, 2024, mark a crucial step toward constitutional reform in Ghana.

Constitutional Committeepresident to pay tax