News · Richard Boateng Opoku-Ofori

CSOs urged to engage communities on constitutional review recommendations

The Citizens Platform on Constitutional Reform, CPCR has urged Civil Society Organisations, CSOs to engage communities on the recommendations of the Constitutional Review Committee and government’s position on the proposed reforms.

The call was made at a one-day conference in Koforidua in the Eastern Region aimed at sensitising CSOs on the committee’s recommendations and the position of the CPCR on key constitutional reform issues.

Speaking at the conference, the CPCR Coordinator, Nana Akuamoah, stressed the importance of public understanding and participation in the constitutional review process.

“It is important for people in our communities to understand the recommendations and how the proposed changes can affect them and we want everyone to have access to the information they need so they can understand what is being proposed and how it may impact their daily lives,” he said.

Mr. Akuamoah noted that the CPCR supports a number of recommendations made by the Constitutional Review Committee and accepted by government.

Among them are proposals to move presidential elections to the first week of November, introduce proportional representation in Parliament to broaden political participation, grant ordinary Members of Parliament the power to introduce bills, and make parliamentary votes of censure binding.

“These recommendations have the potential to strengthen democratic governance and improve citizen participation in the political process,” he stated.

However, he indicated that the Platform disagrees with some of the recommendations and believes further public discussion is needed before they are implemented.

The CPCR also called for clear guidelines to ensure that future governments continue with the implementation process, noting that previous constitutional review efforts did not achieve their intended outcomes.

The Platform further sought clarity on whether the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee would have the authority to amend recommendations based on feedback from government and the public.

It also urged government to provide dedicated funding to support public education and civic engagement on the reform process.

“Citizens must be adequately informed and given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the constitutional reform process,” Mr. Akuamoah added.

The CPCR announced that similar engagements will be held at the district level between October and December 2026 as part of efforts to broaden public participation in the constitutional review process.

Written by: Nancy Mamle Lawer