The Citizens’ Platform on Constitutional Reforms (CPCR) has welcomed the government’s recent progress in the constitutional review process. However, the group is urging the immediate publication of the full report from the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC). This action is necessary to promote transparency and ensure informed public participation in the reforms.
The CPCR issued a press statement on Monday, July 20, describing Cabinet’s announcement as an important milestone. Cabinet stated that the Attorney General and Minister for Justice will publish the government’s position paper on the CRC’s recommendations this week. The Platform insists that this position paper must be accompanied by the complete CRC report to allow for meaningful public discussion and constructive engagement.
This demand for transparency fits into Ghana's broader political story of strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring citizen involvement. Previous constitutional reform efforts have sometimes faced criticism for a lack of public access to key documents. The CPCR’s call highlights the ongoing need for open governance, especially on matters of national importance like constitutional amendments.
“As Ghanaians prepare to receive government’s position on the CRC proposals, the Citizens’ Platform reiterates its call for the publication of the full report of the CRC to enable informed discussion and constructive engagement,” the statement said. This statement underscores the group's commitment to a reform process that is both credible and legitimate.
The CPCR previously raised concerns on June 12 regarding the limited time available for implementing constitutional reforms. This is particularly pressing before Ghana enters another political and electoral cycle. The group had also called for a clear roadmap outlining implementation timelines, the inauguration of an implementation committee, and a legislative and referendum calendar. These steps align with Articles 289 to 291 of the 1992 Constitution.
The impending publication of the government’s position paper should accelerate these outstanding processes. The CPCR stresses that constitutional reform must remain a national undertaking, not a partisan exercise. The government’s response to the committee’s recommendations must be openly communicated and subjected to broad public debate.
“The credibility and legitimacy of the constitutional reform process will depend not only on the contents of the position paper but also on the transparency, inclusiveness and accountability of the process itself,” the Platform noted. This emphasizes that the process itself is as important as the outcome.
The Platform also called on citizens, political parties, and other stakeholders to actively participate in the next phase of the review process. This includes paying close attention to opportunities for public engagement, implementation timelines, and mechanisms for building consensus. Such consensus is vital for both entrenched and non-entrenched constitutional provisions.
The Citizens’ Platform on Constitutional Reforms is a coalition of 80 civil society organisations and citizen groups. It is facilitated by CDD-Ghana, STAR-Ghana Foundation, and Democracy Hub. These organizations coordinate advocacy and public engagement on Ghana’s constitutional reform agenda. The Platform looks forward to the prompt publication of both the government’s position paper and the full Constitutional Review Committee report. This reaffirms its commitment to supporting an open, inclusive, and citizen-centred constitutional reform process.