Constitutional reforms must give citizens greater say in local decisions – Sophia Akuffo

Former Chief Justice and Senior Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Sophia Akuffo, has called for constitutional reforms to empower citizens to play a more significant role in decisions impacting their communities. She argued that Ghana's democratic system must evolve beyond merely providing a voice for citizens, creating avenues for them to directly influence decisions at the local level.

While addressing an IEA forum on the Prempeh Committee's report and the government's stance on constitutional review, Akuffo pointed out that the current implementation of the Constitution has left many citizens with limited influence over issues that directly affect their lives. She contended that the concentration of decision-making power among a select few has hindered ordinary citizens, particularly those residing outside major urban areas, from shaping development priorities in their communities.

According to Akuffo, the current constitution has resulted in a scenario where citizens not present at decision-making tables are rendered powerless, with their interests subsumed under the decisions made by others. She emphasized that resource and opportunity distribution between urban and rural regions often reflects this imbalance, with citizens in the countryside lacking a meaningful say over decisions affecting their communities.

Akuffo stressed that citizen participation is vital for a functioning democracy and advocated for constitutional reforms to enhance public involvement. She urged for provisions that would amplify citizen participation and grant them a more direct role in decisions that significantly impact their lives. Akuffo warned that without proactive constitutional measures to bolster public participation, the concerns and priorities of many citizens may continue to be sidelined.

She stressed that genuine democracy, especially in the context of development, can only be achieved if the people meaningfully participate in crucial choices at the levels that matter most to them.