The Government of Ghana was created as a parliamentary democracy, followed by alternating military and civilian governments in Ghana. In January 1993, military government gave way to the Fourth Republic after presidential and parliamentary elections in late 1992. The 1992 constitution divides powers among a president, parliament, cabinet, council of state, and an independent judiciary. The government is elected by universal suffrage.

 

Political parties became legal in mid-1992 after a ten-year hiatus. There are more than 20 registered political parties under the Fourth Republic. The two main parties are the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party. The National Democratic Congress is the successor organisation to Jerry John Rawlings’ Provisional National Defence Council which was in power from 1981 to 1992.

The New Patriotic Party, found in 1992, is the successor to the Gold Coast’s The Big Six independence achiever party United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC); the People’s National Convention, and the Convention People’s Party, successor to Kwame Nkrumah’s original party of the same name, which was the incumbent government of Ghana for 10 years from declaration of independence in 1957 to 1966, winning elections in 1956, 1960, and 1965.

The National Democratic Congress won the presidential and parliamentary elections in 1992, 1996, 2008 and 2012. The New Patriotic Party won the presidential and parliamentary elections in 2000, 2004, 2016 and 2020.

 

Foreign relations

Since independence, Ghana has been devoted to ideals of nonalignment and is a founding member of the non-aligned movement. Ghana favours international and regional political and economic co-operation, and is an active member of the United Nations and the African Union.

Many Ghanaian diplomats and politicians hold positions in international organisations. These include Ghanaian diplomat and former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, International Criminal Court Judge Akua Kuenyehia, former President Jerry John Rawlings and former President John Agyekum Kuffour who have both served as diplomats of the United Nations.

In September 2010, Ghana’s former President John Atta Mills visited China on an official visit. Mills and China’s former President Hu Jintao, marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations, at the Great Hall of the People on 20 September 2010. China reciprocated with a visit in November 2011, by the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, Zhou Tienong who visited Ghana and met with Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama.

Judicial system

The legal system is based on the 1992 constitution, customary (traditional) law, and British common law. Court hierarchy consists of Supreme Court of Ghana (highest court), courts of appeal, and high courts of justice. Beneath these bodies are circuit, magisterial, and traditional courts. Extrajudicial institutions include public tribunals.[1] Since independence, courts are relatively independent; this independence continues under the Republic. Lower courts are being redefined and reorganised under the Republic.

 

Administrative divisions

There are sixteen administrative regions of the Republic of Ghana which are divided into 6 metropolitan assemblies; 55 Municipal assemblies; and 216 districts,[7] each with its own district assembly. Below districts are various types of councils, including 58 town or area councils; 108 zonal councils; and 626 area councils. Over 16,000 unit committees exist on the lowest level. Ghana has 275 electoral constituencies.

 

Ghana Parliament constituencies

This is a list of the 275 constituencies represented in the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana, as at the December 2016 general election. It had been increased from 260 at the previous election in December 2012 parliamentary election. Each constituency is represented by a single Member of Parliament (MP). There were 230 parliamentary constituencies previously.

1 Ahafo Region – 6 seats
2 Ashanti Region – 47 seats
3 Bono Region – 12 seats
4 Bono East Region – 11 seats
5 Central Region – 23 seats
6 Eastern Region – 33 seats
7 Greater Accra Region – 34 seats
8 North East Region – 6 seats
9 Northern Region – 18 seats
10 Oti Region – 8 seats
111 Savannah Region – 7 seats
12 Upper East Region – 15 seats
13 Upper West Region – 11 seats
14 Volta Region – 18 seats
15 Western Region – 17 seats
16 Western North Region – 9 seats

At the time Ghana became an independent country, there were 104 seats in parliament. This increased to 198 after 1965 when Ghana became a one party state. At the start of the Second Republic in 1969, the number of seats were increased to 140. This did not change further until the start of the Fourth republic when it was increased from 140 to 200. The number of seats was increased following the December 2000 elections.[3] After the 2000 population census, the number of districts were increased from 110 to 138. The Electoral Commission of Ghana did a demarcation exercise which increased the number of constituencies from 200 to 230. The total list of constituencies was increased to 275 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election. This was done by the Electoral Commission of Ghana after the final results of the 2010 population census became available. Following a referendum in December 2018, the number of administrative regions have also been increased from ten to sixteen.

 

Ahafo Region – 6 seats

The Ahafo Region is one of the two new regions carved out of the Brong-Ahafo Region. The Brong-Ahafo Region was split into three regions following the December 2018 referendum.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Asunafo North Municipal	Goaso	Asunafo North
Asunafo South	Kukuom	Asunafo South
Asutifi North	Kenyasi	Asutifi North
Asutifi South	Hwidiem	Asutifi South
Tano North Municipal	Duayaw Nkwanta	Tano North
Tano South Municipal	Bechem	Tano South

Ashanti Region – 47 seats

The number of constituencies in this region increased from 33 to 39 in 2004 and 48 in 2012 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election. Some new districts were created in 2008 affecting the location of some constituencies.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Adansi Asokwa	Adansi Asokwa	Adansi-Asokwa
Adansi North	Fomena	Fomena
Adansi South	New Edubiase	New Edubease
Afigya Kwabre North	Boamang	Afigya Kwabre North
Afigya Kwabre South	Kodie	Afigya Kwabre South
Ahafo Ano North Municipal	Tepa	Ahafo Ano North
Ahafo Ano South East	Dwinyame / Adugyama	Ahafo Ano South East	Created 2012
Ahafo Ano South West	Mankranso	Ahafo Ano South West
Akrofuom	Akrofuom	Akrofuom	Created 2004
Amansie Central	Jacobu	Odotobri
Amansie West	Manso Nkwanta	Manso Nkwanta
Amansie South	Manso Adubia	Manso Edubia	Created 2012
Asante Akim Central Municipal	Konongo	Asante Akim Central
Asante Akim North	Agogo	Asante Akim North	Created 2012
Asante Akim South Municipal	Juaso	Asante Akim South
Asokore Mampong	Asokore Mampong	Asawase	Created 2004
Asokwa Municipal	Asokwa	Asokwa
Atwima Kwanwoma	Twedie	Atwima-Kwanwoma
Atwima Mponua	Nyinahin	Atwima Mponua
Atwima Nwabiagya Municipal	Nkawie	Atwima-Nwabiagya South
Atwima Nwabiagya North	Barekese	Atwima-Nwabiagya North	Created 2012
Bekwai Municipal	Bekwai	Bekwai
Bosome Freho	Asiwa	Bosome-Freho
Bosomtwe	Kuntanse	Bosomtwe
Ejisu Municipal	Ejisu	Ejisu
Ejura Sekyedumase Municipal	Ejura	Ejura-Sekyedumase
Juaben Municipal	Juaben	Juaben	Created 2012
Kumasi Metropolitan	Kumasi	Bantama
		Manhyia North	Created 2012
		Manhyia South
		Nhyiaeso	Created 2004
		Subin
Kwabre East Municipal	Mamponteng	Kwabre East
Kwadaso Municipal	Kwadaso	Kwadaso	Created 2004
Mampong Municipal	Mampong	Mampong
Obuasi East Municipal	Tutuka	Obuasi East	Created 2012
Obuasi Municipal	Obuasi	Obuasi West
Offinso Municipal	Offinso	Offinso South
Offinso North	Akomadan	Offinso North
Oforikrom Municipal	Oforikrom	Oforikrom
Old Tafo Municipal	Old Tafo	Old Tafo	Created 2004
Sekyere Afram Plains	Drobonso	Sekyere Afram Plains	Created 2012
Sekyere Central	Nsuta	Nsuta-Kwamang
Sekyere East	Effiduase	Afigya Sekyere East
Sekyere Kumawu	Kumawu	Kumawu
Sekyere South	Agona	Effiduase-Asokore
Suame Municipal	Suame	Suame	Created 2004

Bono Region – 12 seats

The Brong-Ahafo Region was split into three regions following the December 2018 referendum.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Banda	Banda Ahenkro	Banda Ahenkro	Created 2012
Berekum East Municipal	Berekum	Berekum East
Berekum West	Jinijini	Berekum West	Created 2012
Dormaa Central Municipal	Dormaa Ahenkro	Dormaa Central
Dormaa East District	Wamfie	Dormaa East
Dormaa West	Nkrankwanta	Dormaa West	Created 2012
Jaman North	Sampa	Jaman North	Created 2004
Jaman South Municipal	Drobo	Jaman South
Sunyani Municipal	Sunyani	Sunyani East
Sunyani West	Odumase	Sunyani West
Tain	Nsawkaw	Tain	Created 2004
Wenchi Municipal	Wenchi	Wenchi	Created 2004

Bono East Region – 11 seats

The Bono East Region is one of the two new regions carved out of the Brong Ahafo Region. The Brong-Ahafo Region was split into three regions following the December 2018 referendum.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Atebubu-Amantin Municipal	Atebubu	Atebubu-Amantin	Created 2004
Kintampo North Municipal	Kintampo	Kintampo North	Created 2004
Kintampo South	Jema	Kintampo South
Nkoranza North	Busunya	Nkoranza North	Created 2004
Nkoranza South Municipal	Nkoranza	Nkoranza South
Pru East	Yeji	Pru East	Pru created 2004 Pru split 2012
Pru West	Prang	Pru West	Created 2012
Sene East	Kajaji	Sene East	Created 2012
Sene West	Kwame Danso	Sene West
Techiman Municipal	Techiman	Techiman South
Techiman North	Tuobodom	Techiman North

Central Region – 23 seats

The number of constituencies in the region increased from 17 to 19 in 2004 and 23 in 2012 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Abura Asebu Kwamankese	Abura-Dunkwa	Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese
Agona East	Nsaba	Agona East
Agona West Municipal	Agona Swedru	Agona West
Ajumako Enyan Essiam	Ajumako	Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam
Asikuma Odoben Brakwa	Breman Asikuma	Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa
Assin Central Municipal	Assin Foso	Assin Central	Created 2012
Assin North	Assin Bereku	Assin North
Assin South	Nsuaem Kyekyewere	Assin South
Awutu Senya East Municipal	Kasoa	Awutu-Senya East	Created 2012
Awutu Senya West	Awutu Breku	Awutu-Senya West
Cape Coast Metropolitan	Cape Coast	Cape Coast North	Created 2012
		Cape Coast South
Effutu Municipal	Winneba	Effutu
Ekumfi	Apam	Ekumfi
Gomoa East	Potsin	Gomoa East
Gomoa Central	Afransi	Gomoa Central	Created 2012
Gomoa West	Esakyir	Gomoa West
Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem Municipal	Elmina	Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem
Mfantsiman Municipal	Saltpond	Mfantseman
Twifo Atti Morkwa	Twifo Praso	Twifo-Atii Morkwaa
Twifo/Heman/Lower Denkyira	Hemang	Hemang Lower Denkyira	Created 2004
Upper Denkyira East Municipal	Dunkwa-on-Offin	Upper Denkyira East	Created 2004
Upper Denkyira West	Diaso	Upper Denkyira West	Created 2004

Eastern Region – 33 seats

The number of constituencies was increased from 26 to 28 in 2004 and 33 in 2012 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Abuakwa North Municipal	Kukurantumi	Abuakwa North	Created 2004
Abuakwa South Municipal	Kibi	Abuakwa South	Created 2004
Achiase	Achiase	Achiase	Created 2012
Akuapim North Municipal	Akropong	Akropong
Akuapim South	Aburi	Akwapim South	Created 2012
Akyemansa	Ofoase	Ofoase-Ayirebi	Created 2004
Asene Manso Akroso	Manso	Asene Akroso Manso	Created 2012
Asuogyaman	Atimpoku	Asuogyaman
Atiwa East	Anyinam	Atiwa East	Created 2012
Atiwa West	Kwabeng	Atiwa West
Ayensuano	Coaltar	Ayensuano
Birim Central Municipal	Akim Oda	Akim Oda
Birim North	New Abirem	Abirem
Birim South	Akim Swedru	Akim Swedru
Denkyembour	Akwatia	Akwatia
Fanteakwa North	Begoro	Fanteakwa North
Fanteakwa South	Osino	Fanteakwa South	Created 2012
Kwaebibirem Municipal	Kade	Kade
Kwahu Afram Plains North	Donkorkrom	Afram Plains North
Kwahu Afram Plains South	Tease, Ghana	Afram Plains South
Kwahu East	Abetifi	Abetifi
Kwahu South	Mpraeso	Mpraeso
Kwahu West Municipal	Nkawkaw	Nkawkaw
Lower Manya Krobo Municipal	Krobo Odumase	Lower Manya
New Juaben North Municipal	Effiduase	New Juaben North
New Juaben South Municipal	Koforidua	New Juaben South
Nsawam Adoagyire Municipal	Nsawam	Nsawam Adoagyiri
Okere	Adukrom	Okere
Suhum Municipal	Suhum	Suhum
Upper Manya Krobo	Asesewa	Upper Manya
Upper West Akim	Adeiso	Upper West Akim
West Akim Municipal	Asamankese	Lower West Akim
Yilo Krobo Municipal	Somanya	Yilo Krobo

Greater Accra Region – 34 seats

The number of constituencies increased/spread from 22 to 27 in 2004 and 34 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Ablekuma Central Municipal	Lartebiokorshie	Ablekuma Central
Ablekuma North Municipal	Darkuman	Ablekuma North
Ablekuma West Municipal	Dansoman	Ablekuma West	Created 2012
Accra Metropolitan	Accra	Ablekuma South
		Odododiodio
		Okaikwei Central	Created 2012
		Okaikwei South
Ada East	Ada Foah	Ada
Ada West	Sege	Sege	Created 2004
Adenta Municipal	Adenta	Adenta	Created 2004
Ashaiman Municipal	Ashaiman	Ashaiman
Ayawaso Central Municipal	Kokomlemle	Ayawaso Central
Ayawaso East Municipal	Nima	Ayawaso East
Ayawaso North Municipal	Accra New Town	Ayawaso North	Created 2012
Ayawaso West Municipal	Dzorwulu	Ayawaso West
Ga Central Municipal	Sowutuom	Anyaa-Sowutuom	Created 2012
Ga East Municipal	Abokobi	Dome-Kwabenya	Created 2004
Ga North Municipal	Amomole	Trobu	Created from Trobu-Amasaman 2012
Ga South Municipal	Ngleshie Amanfro	Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfrom	Created 2012
		Domeabra-Obom	Created 2004
Ga West Municipal	Amasaman	Amasaman	Trobu-Amasaman 2004 Split 2012
Korle Klottey Municipal	Osu	Korle Klottey
Kpone Katamanso Municipal	Kpone	Kpone-Katamanso
Krowor Municipal	Nungua	Krowor
La Dade Kotopon Municipal	La	Dade Kotopon
La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal	Madina	Abokobi-Madina	Created 2004
Ledzokuku Municipal	Teshie	Ledzokuku
Ningo Prampram	Prampram	Ningo-Prampram
Okaikwei North Municipal	Tesano	Okaikwei North
Shai Osudoku	Dodowa	Shai-Osudoku
Tema Metropolitan	Tema	Tema Central	Created 2012
		Tema East
Tema West Municipal	Tema Community 18	Tema West
Weija Gbawe Municipal	Weija	Weija	Created 2004

North East Region – 6 seats

The North East Region was created following the December 2018 referendum.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Bunkpurugu Nyankpanduri	Bunkpurugu	Bunkpurugu
Chereponi	Chereponi	Chereponi
East Mamprusi Municipal	Nalerigu	Nalerigu
Mamprugu Moagduri	Yagaba	Yagaba-Kubori	Created 2004
West Mamprusi Municipal	Walewale	Walewale	Created 2004
Yunyoo-Nasuan	Yunyoo	Yunyoo	Created 2012

Northern Region – 18 seats

The number of constituencies increased from 23 to 26 in 2004 and 31 in 2012 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election. After the division of the region into Northern and North Eastern regions, the region now had 18 constituencies.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Gushegu Municipal	Gushegu	Gushegu
Karaga	Karaga	Karaga	Created 2004
Kpandai	Kpandai	Kpandai
Kumbungu	Kumbungu	Kumbungu
Mion	Sanga	Mion
Nanton	Nanton	Nanton
Nanumba North Municipal	Bimbilla	Bimbilla
Nanumba South	Wulensi	Wulensi
Saboba	Saboba	Saboba
Sagnarigu Municipal	Sagnarigu	Sagnarigu	Created 2012
Savelugu Municipal	Savelugu	Savelugu
Tamale Metropolitan	Tamale	Tamale Central	Created 2004
		Tamale North	Created 2004
		Tamale South	Created 2004
Tatale Sanguli	Tatale	Tatale-Sanguli	Created 2012
Tolon	Tolon	Tolon
Yendi Municipal	Yendi	Yendi
Zabzugu	Zabzugu	Zabzugu

Oti Region – 8 seats

The Oti Region was created following the December 2018 referendum.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Biakoye	Nkonya Ahenkro	Biakoye
Jasikan	Jasikan	Buem
Kadjebi	Kadjebi	Akan
Krachi East Municipal	Dambai	Krachi East	Created 2004
Krachi Nchumuru	Chinderi	Krachi Nchumuru	Created 2012
Krachi West	Kete Krachi	Krachi West	Krachi split in 2004
Nkwanta North	Kpassa	Nkwanta North	Created 2004
Nkwanta South Municipal	Nkwanta	Nkwanta South	Split from Nkwanta 2004

Savannah Region – 7 seats

The Savannah Region was created following the December 2018 referendum.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Bole	Bole	Bole
Central Gonja	Buipe	Yapei-Kusawgu
East Gonja Municipal	Salaga	Salaga South
North East Gonja	Kpalbe	Salaga North	Created 2012
North Gonja	Daboya	Daboya-Mankarigu	Created 2012
Sawla-Tuna-Kalba	Sawla	Sawla-Tuna-Kalba
West Gonja Municipal	Damongo	Damango

Upper East Region – 15 seats

The number of constituencies increased from 12 to 13 in 2004 and 15 in 2012 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Bawku Municipal	Bawku	Bawku Central
Bawku West	Zebilla	Zebilla	Created 2004
Binduri	Binduri	Binduri
Bolgatanga East	Zuarungu	Bolgatanga East	Created 2012
Bolgatanga Municipal	Bolgatanga	Bolgatanga Central
Bongo	Bongo	Bongo
Builsa North Municipal	Sandema	Builsa North
Builsa South	Fumbisi	Builsa South
Garu	Garu	Garu
Kassena Nankana Municipal	Navrongo	Navrongo Central
Kassena Nankana West	Paga	Chiana-Paga
Nabdam	Nangodi	Nabdam
Pusiga	Pusiga	Pusiga	Created 2004
Talensi	Tongo	Talensi
Tempane	Tempane	Tempane	Created 2012

Upper West Region – 11 seats

The number of constituencies increased from 8 to 10 and 11 in 2012 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Daffiama Bussie Issa	Issa	Daffiama Bussie Issa
Jirapa Municipal	Jirapa	Jirapa
Lambussie Karni	Lambussie	Lambussie
Lawra Municipal	Lawra	Lawra
Nadowli Kaleo	Nadowli	Nadowli Kaleo	Created 2004 as Nadowli West
Nandom Municipal	Nandom	Nandom	Created 2012
Sissala East Municipal	Tumu	Sissala East	Split from Sissala 2004
Sissala West	Gwollu	Sissala West	Split from Sissala 2004
Wa East	Funsi	Wa East
Wa Municipal	Wa	Wa Central
Wa West	Wechiau	Wa West	Created 2004

Volta Region – 18 seats[

The number of constituencies increased from 19 to 22 in 2004 and 26 in 2012 prior to the 2012 Ghanaian general election. This reduced to 18 after the December 2018 referendum which led to the creation of 6 new regions. The old Volta Region got split into Oti and Volta Regions.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Adaklu District	Adaklu Waya	Adaklu	Created 2012
Afadzato South	Ve Golokwati	Afadjato South
Agotime Ziope	Kpetoe	Agotime-Ziope
Akatsi North	Ave-Dakpa	Akatsi North	Created 2012
Akatsi South	Akatsi	Akatsi South
Anloga	Anloga	Anlo
Central Tongu	Adidome	Central Tongu	Created 2004
Ho Municipal	Ho	Ho Central
Ho West	Dzolokpuita	Ho West
Hohoe Municipal	Hohoe	Hohoe
Keta Municipal	Keta	Keta
Ketu North Municipal	Dzodze	Ketu North
Ketu South Municipal	Denu	Ketu South
Kpando Municipal	Kpando	Kpando
North Dayi	Anfoega	North Dayi	Created 2012
North Tongu	Battor Dugame	North Tongu
South Dayi	Kpeve	South Dayi
South Tongu	Sogakope	South Tongu

Western Region – 17 seats

The number of constituencies increased from 19 to 22 in 2004 and 26 in 2012.

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Ahanta West Municipal	Agona Ahanta	Ahanta West
Amenfi Central	Manso	Amenfi Central
Amenfi West Municipal	Asankragua	Amenfi West
Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal[9]	Kwesimintsim	Effia
		Kwesimintsim[9]	Created 2012
Ellembelle	Nkroful	Ellembelle
Jomoro Municipal	Half Assini	Jomoro
Mpohor	Mpohor	Mpohor	Created 2012
Nzema East Municipal	Axim	Evalue Gwira Evalue-Gwira
Prestea-Huni Valley Municipal	Prestea	Prestea-Huni Valley
Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan	Sekondi-Takoradi	Essikado-Ketan	Created 2004
		Sekondi
		Takoradi
Shama	Shama	Shama
Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal	Tarkwa	Tarkwa-Nsuaem
Wassa Amenfi East Municipal	Wassa-Akropong	Amenfi East
Wassa East	Daboase	Wassa East

Western North Region – 9 seats

District	Capital	Constituency	Comments
Aowin Municipal	Enchi	Aowin	Created 2004
Bia East	Adabokrom	Bia East	Created 2012
Bia West	Essam	Bia West
Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal	Bibiani	Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai
Bodi	Bodi	Bodi	Created 2012
Juaboso	Juaboso	Juabeso
Sefwi Akontombra	Sefwi Akontombra	Sefwi-Akontombra	Created 2004
Sefwi-Wiawso Municipal	Wiawso	Sefwi-Wiawso
Suaman	Suaman	Suaman

Source & Credit: Wikipedia

By: Mensah Francis – MyGhanaMedia.com