Accra, Ghana//-The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana), in partnership with STAR-Ghana Foundation and Democracy Hub, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), officially launched the CSO Platform on Constitutional Reform (CSO-CRC Platform).
The CSO-CRC Platform is a citizen-led effort to reimagine Ghana’s governance and development after more than 30 years of sustained experimentation with democracy.
The launch brought together CSOs, youth networks, development partners, citizens, and the media to affirm their commitment to engage with and champion Ghana’s constitutional review process.
Speakers at the launch collectively framed Ghana’s constitutional reform as a historic opportunity to reclaim democracy and ensure a people-centred government.
The discussions also highlighted the need for coordination, grassroots mobilisation, and inclusive participation, especially of youth, women, and persons with disabilities, to ensure that reform reflects the aspirations of all Ghanaians.
They emphasised that constitutional reform must transcend partisanship, serving as a unifying, transparent, and people-driven process that builds a courageous and inclusive future for Ghana.
Speaking at the event, Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at CDD-Ghana, Dr Kojo Asante described the moment as a rare and historic opportunity to rethink Ghana’s governance architecture after more than three decades of democratic practice.
“The political elite must embrace the opportunity to correct the ills of hyper-partisanship and monetization of politics that have placed a stranglehold on politics, the economy, and society.
It is an opportunity to free the people so that they can free their leaders from excessive material demands and dependence on political actors for everyday survival – free us so we can free you,” he said.
Head of Programs at STAR-Ghana Foundation, Madam Eunice Agbenyadzi, outlined the structure of the platform, explaining that it would operate through a Coordinating Committee and regional and district-level bodies to ensure broad national engagement.
“This platform is designed to strengthen coordination and deepen participation. From the national level to the districts, our goal is to ensure a well-organised civic voice in the constitutional review process,” she noted. Development partners expressed strong support for the initiative.
Head of Political and Governance at the British High Commission, Hooman Nouruzi, reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to Ghana’s democratic development.
“The UK Government is proud to support efforts to strengthen governance, promote inclusive participation, and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
Drawing on lessons from previous reform attempts, stakeholders stressed the need for civil society vigilance to prevent the weakening or sidelining of recommendations.
They emphasised that constitutional reform depends not only on the content of amendments but also on the transparency and integrity of the process that delivers them.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor of Democracy Hub and FixTheCountry, presenting on the “Context of Ghana’s constitutional review process and the critical role of civil society in ensuring accountability and inclusion,” noted that “the experience from the 2010–2012 Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) highlights the necessity for civil society organisations to develop comprehensive engagement strategies throughout the process.
CSOs must ensure they actively influence decision-making, especially during transitional phases following reports and recommendations.”
He further emphasised that “the exclusion of CSOs from the Constitution Review Implementation Committee severely limited their influence over the implementation of the constitutional reforms.
This underscores the need for inclusive structures that allow for diverse stakeholder representation in reform processes.”
Over the next few months, the platform will roll out its roadmap, establishing regional platforms, engaging with broader civil society, including professional groups, religious bodies, and students, forming working groups to develop advocacy strategies, and maintaining sustained public engagement throughout the constitutional review process.
This will ensure Ghana’s constitutional reform becomes a people’s process that delivers a stronger, fairer, and more democratic Ghana.
Call to Action
They encouraged all civil society organisations and interested individuals to add their voice to strengthening the national effort to consolidate good governance in Ghana.
Your participation will be crucial to deepening policy engagement and ensuring that the constitutional review process reflects the priorities of all Ghanaians.
About the Civil Society Platform on Constitutional Review
The Civil Society Platform on Constitutional Review is a collaborative initiative facilitated by CDD-Ghana, STAR-Ghana Foundation, and Democracy Hub, bringing together diverse organisations, activists, and citizens to coordinate engagement, advocacy, and accountability in Ghana’s ongoing constitutional reform process.
Current Members
- Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)
- Democracy Hub
- STAR-Ghana Foundation
- Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA)
- Affirmative Action Law Coalition
- ABANTU for Development
- Health Messenger International
- Center for Peace Policy and Research
- FIDA Ghana
- Friends of the Nation
- Institute for Democratic Governance
- Trades Union Congress (TUC-GHANA)
- COLANDEF
- Parliamentary Network Africa
- Africa Disability Institute
- Concern Health Education Project
- Youth Advocates Ghana
- WiLDAF Ghana
- 350 Ghana
- Abibinsroma foundation
- Odekro PMO Foundation
- DreamHunt Ghana
- BudgIT Ghana
- Ghana Developing Communities Association
- POS Foundation
- West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)
- Human Rights Advocacy Centre
- Ghana Developing Communities Association
- Human Rights Reporters Ghana
- NAPRM
- Youth Opportunity and Transformation in Africa
- Know West Africa
- Penplusbytes
- Global Media Foundation LBG
- Cashew Watch Ghana LBG
- Citizens Watch Ghana
- KARIBS Foundation
- Foundation for Democratic Integrity
- Indigenous Women Empowerment Network LBG
- Adams Foundation for Research and Development Center
- Norsaac
- Transparency International-Ghana
- Naabans Foundation
- Center for Public Interest Law (CEPIL)
- Action on Persons with Disabilities and Development-ADD
- Care for Society Network International
- PACKS Africa
- Youth Network Alliance
- Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa
- Renel Ghana Foundation
- Foundation for Research and Development (FoRD-GHANA)
- KYS AFRICA
- Youth Bridge Foundation
- NETRIGHT
- Institute for Democratic Governance
- Presbyterian Church of Ghana
- Care for Society Network International
- Network for Environmental Sustainability and Transformation
