Citizens across the country are being strongly encouraged to take an active role in Ghana’s ongoing Constitution Review Committee (CRC) zonal engagements, a critical national exercise aimed at reshaping the country’s legal and democratic foundations.
This call to action was made during a recent citizen-engagement workshop held in Accra, organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and attended by civil society representatives from regions in the southern and middle parts of the country: Greater Accra, Western, Eastern, Central, Western North, Bono, Oti, and Volta.
The workshop, which was held under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Citizen Engagement in Ghana’s Constitutional Review Process,” sought to equip community leaders, women, and civil society representatives with the knowledge and tools to meaningfully participate in constitutional reforms.
“As citizens, you have a responsibility to participate in the CRC’s zonal engagements. You live in the communities and understand the real challenges. This is your opportunity to influence constitutional changes that better address your needs,” stressed Kwesi Jonah, IDEG’s Head of Advocacy and Institutional Relations, during his presentation.
On the rationale for promoting grassroots voices in shaping Ghana’s next constitution, Jonah emphasised that democracy is not a spectator sport and therefore active involvement in the constitutional review process is not only a right, but also a national responsibility.
Participants received practical advocacy training to equip them with the skills needed for effective engagement in public forums and consultations, including engagements with the CRC.
Beyond the knowledge and skills training, the workshop inspired curiosity and a desire to engage among many participants, though concerns were raised, especially by those from marginalised communities, about accessing CRC platforms.
“We are ready to speak and contribute, but we need to know how to get involved,” one participant shared, highlighting the need for more inclusive and transparent entry points into the national dialogue.
The workshop, which was funded by Oxfam, emphasised IDEG’s broader mission to strengthen grassroots democracy by ensuring that constitutional reforms reflect the lived realities of Ghanaians across all social and economic backgrounds.
BAI/MA
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