The engagement is part of its nationwide consultations

The Constitutional Review Committee has held public engagement in the Eastern Region as part of its nationwide consultations.

The exercise saw passionate participation by the Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, the Omanhene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, MMDCEs from across the Region, politicians from various political parties, representatives from the business and entrepreneurial sector, security personnel, leaders from faith-based organisations, youth activists, retirees, students, professionals, and individuals.

Contributions at the forum centered around empowering traditional rulers and local communities’ participation in natural resource governance, election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, whether to increase the four-year term of a President/Parliament to 5 or more years, reformation of the council of state, appointment of heads of various public institutions and independent bodies particularly the judiciary and Electoral Commission.

Also among the dominant proposals were calls to reduce the age limit for presidential aspirants and to improve enforcement of national laws, including the Disability Act, with timelines for legislative instruments.

Chairman of the Committee, Prof Henry Kwasi Prempeh, described the level of participation as overwhelming – a reflection of the growing public interest in governance reforms.

“They [Ghanaians] all want to now have a bigger role in local government and also when it comes to natural resources, the role of local communities. So I would say that the Ghanaians are thinking, wherever they are, about the same things, roughly. Everybody wants the system of government and of governance to improve.” Prof H. Kwasi Prempeh stated.

He added, “People have thought through a lot of things because they are coming up with roughly, you know, they are very like-minded in the way they are looking at the country. Nobody is pleased with the way this country is run. Nobody likes the political polarisation. Nobody likes the corruption. Nobody likes that”.

Oseadeeyo Dr Frimpong Manso, Paramount Chief of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, said re-empowering traditional leadership will help improve governance and protect lands and natural resources from being assigned to foreign interests without community approval.

“If we re-empower some of the traditional institutions whose authority has been diminished, they can collaborate with the government and bring citizens closer to Ghana’s governance. Otherwise, decisions may be made that, in the long run, could result in most of our wealth, land, and resources being handed over to non-Ghanaians—leaving Ghanaians with nothing to truly call their own,” he warned.

Dr Frimpong Manso further emphasised the importance of involving local communities in decision-making processes, especially when it comes to the allocation of land and resources.

“If our people are empowered to ask questions about why national assets are being given to foreign interests, it will improve transparency and strengthen governance across the country,” he added.

The Constitutional Review Committee is expected to continue its nationwide engagements in the remaining 12 regions having concluded the three northern regions and Eastern Region before submitting a comprehensive report to the President.