By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Feb. 16, GNA – The Citizens’ Platform on Constitutional Reforms (CPCR) has welcomed the submission of the Constitutional Review Committee’s (CRC) final report and outlined expectations for an inclusive, transparent and consensus-driven implementation process.
In a joint statement issued by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), STAR-Ghana Foundation and Democracy Hub, the 61-member coalition of civil society organisations, professional bodies, trade unions, social movements and citizens reaffirmed support for the constitutional reform process initiated in 2025 by President John Dramani Mahama.
At its inaugural Steering Committee meeting on February 5, the Platform elected Professor Akosua K. Darkwah of the University of Ghana and NETRIGHT as Chair; Mr Alhassan Mohammed Awal, Executive Director of NORSAAC, and Madam Rebecca Ekpe, Vice President of the Ghana Journalists Association and Editor-in-Chief of GBC Online, as Deputy Chairs. A third Deputy Chair representing professional bodies will be elected later.
The Platform commended the President for establishing the CRC and welcomed the submission of its final report to the Presidency on January 29, 2026, praising the Committee’s extensive consultations, technical rigour and comprehensive recommendations. It noted that the report reflects years of civic advocacy, including proposals on stronger accountability, expanded citizen participation, institutional reforms and clearer enforcement mechanisms.
The coalition called for the full report to be published promptly, as was done with the summary recommendations on December 22, 2025. It also took note of remarks by Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Dr Dominic Ayine about a forthcoming government position paper, cautioning that such an approach could repeat challenges experienced after the White Paper that followed the Constitution Review Commission chaired by Professor Albert K. Fiadjoe, which many believed diluted key reforms.
The Platform urged Government to act as a broker and consensus builder rather than sole arbiter, promoting dialogue and co-creation with Parliament, political parties, civil society, organised labour, professional bodies and citizens.
It welcomed plans to establish a Constitution Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) and called for its swift operationalisation. The Committee’s mandate, it suggested, should include building political and social consensus, developing a legislative and amendment roadmap, coordinating parliamentary processes, preparing for referenda, leading nationwide civic education and ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement.
The Platform reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with Government and Parliament and pledged capacity-building activities for civil society, media, youth, women, thematic groups and new media influencers to deepen understanding of the CRC recommendations and develop common advocacy positions.
It encouraged all civil society organisations and individuals to support the process to ensure meaningful, people-centred constitutional change that strengthens accountability, protects rights and secures Ghana’s democratic future.
The Citizens’ Platform is facilitated by CDD-Ghana, STAR-Ghana Foundation and Democracy Hub and comprises 61 citizen groups coordinating advocacy and accountability in Ghana’s constitutional reform process.
GNA.
Edited by Audrey Dekalu