By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) focused on development and governance solutions, the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), has warned that Ghana risks democratic backsliding if urgent constitutional reforms are not undertaken, citing prolonged delays in implementing long-proposed changes to the 1992 Constitution.
The warning was contained in a press statement issued and signed by IDEG’s Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel O. Akwetey, on Wednesday, January 7, 2025, to mark Constitution Day and Ghana’s 34th consecutive year of constitutional rule.
According to IDEG, more than a decade of stalled constitutional reform efforts has exposed deep structural weaknesses in Ghana’s democratic governance framework.
The statement noted further that successive governments over four electoral cycles, from 2012 to 2025, had been unable to implement recommendations arising from constitutional review processes, largely due to weak national consensus and the absence of a permanent, independent institutional framework to drive the reforms.
IDEG cautioned that the continued delay is occurring against a troubling regional backdrop marked by democratic regression in West Africa, declining confidence in multiparty democracy, rising public support for military rule, and growing youth disenchantment with what is perceived as an unresponsive political system.
“These trends collectively pose a serious threat to Ghana’s democratic consolidation and its long-standing role as a democratic anchor in the sub-region,” a portion of the statement read.
IDEG said the recent submission of the Constitution Review Committee’s report presents a critical opportunity to reset Ghana’s governance architecture and avert potential democratic decline.
IDEG, however, commended President John Dramani Mahama for ensuring the immediate public release of the CRC report, describing the move as a positive step towards transparency and inclusive reform.
The statement stressed that safeguarding Ghana’s democracy would require a broad national consensus, collective commitment to good governance, and a rejection of divisive politics.
It urged political leaders, CSOs, and citizens to draw lessons from previous failed reform attempts and recommit to implementing long-overdue constitutional changes.
“Without decisive action, public trust in democratic institutions could continue to erode, particularly among the youth, with far-reaching consequences for political stability and democratic governance in the country,” the statement said.
