Citizens have called for greater inclusion of grassroots voices in Ghana’s ongoing constitutional review process, warning that the dominance of political elites and urban stakeholders could undermine its legitimacy and impact.

The concerns were raised during a civic engagement workshop held at the University for Development Studies in Tamale, organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) with support from Oxfam.

Themed “Bridging the Gap: Citizen Engagement in Ghana’s Constitutional Review Process,” the workshop aimed to empower citizens, particularly from underserved communities, to actively participate in shaping governance and institutional reforms.

In his keynote remarks, Professor Kwesi Jonah, Head of Advocacy and Institutional Relations at IDEG, emphasised that the demand for constitutional review has resonated with Ghanaians at all levels of society, not just among political actors in Accra.

“The voices of the grassroots must be heard; their experiences and frustrations must shape the reforms,” he said.

Participants, who included women, youth, and persons with disabilities from multiple districts across Northern Ghana, expressed concern over the limited public awareness of the Constitutional Review Committee’s activities. Many were unaware of upcoming zonal public hearings.

"We’ve been here, but haven’t heard any news about any committee coming to engage citizens,” lamented one participant, echoing widespread fears of exclusion.

The workshop also featured a practical capacity-building session focused on preparing participants to draft and present position papers. The session was designed to strengthen citizen advocacy and ensure that local perspectives are formally captured and communicated to the review committee.

Facilitators provided strategic guidance on how to articulate policy demands and engage constructively with decision-makers.

In addition to constitutional issues, participants used the forum to voice frustrations about ongoing development challenges in their communities, particularly related to public service delivery. Many argued that meaningful constitutional reform must address systemic governance gaps at the local level.

The event marked an important step in promoting inclusive democratic reform, reinforcing the message that constitutional change must reflect the lived realities and aspirations of all citizens, not just those at the top.

BAI/MA





Also, watch the latest news in Twi on GhanaWeb TV below: