The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) reached a significant milestone this year as it celebrated its 25th anniversary on April 1, 2023.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, the centre has launched a Regional Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement initiative aimed at engaging with its numerous stakeholders and collecting their valuable feedback on the centre's work over the past 25 years.

Founded in July 1998 with a mission to promote democracy, good governance, and inclusive development in Ghana and the broader African context, CDD-Ghana has been at the forefront of empowering ordinary citizens, fostering accountability among public authorities, contributing to peaceful and credible elections in Ghana and Africa, influencing legislative action, advocating for the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups, and sharing expertise on democratic best practices across the continent.

Under the theme "Civil Society and the Quest for Democracy and Inclusive Development in Ghana and Africa: The Next 25 Years," the centre's Regional Outreach seeks to achieve several objectives:

1. Assessing Impact: The initiative provides a platform for stakeholders to evaluate the impact of CDD-Ghana's work, highlight any contributions, and identify challenges or gaps in its activities.
2. Open Dialogue: By engaging with stakeholders in candid discussions outside the typical formal environment, the centre aims to foster open and frank exchanges of ideas and feedback.
3. Strengthening Partnerships: CDD-Ghana aims to deepen its partnership with stakeholders, emphasizing shared responsibility and ownership of the centre's products and activities.

The country will be divided into four zones for this outreach program. Zone 1, hosted in the Northern region with events taking place in Tamale, Zone 2 in the Ashanti region with Kumasi as the host city, Zone 3 in Takoradi, Western region, and Zone 4 in Accra, Greater Accra region. Participants will be selected from regional capitals within these zones, including Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale, with representation from adjoining districts. The Regional Outreach is set to commence on October 25, 2023.

CDD-Ghana highly values the partnership and feedback from its stakeholders. This initiative aims to document feedback that will guide the centre in reviewing its work packages, strategies, and in developing products that align with the needs and aspirations of the citizens, in line with its vision and mission statements.

The centre extends its gratitude to sponsors and partners who have made this initiative possible, including Satguru Travel and Tours, Fapapa Vehicle Rental Ltd, and Lancaster Hotel in Kumasi for their generous support towards the Regional Outreach program.

As CDD-Ghana enters its silver jubilee year, this engagement with stakeholders promises to provide valuable insights and shape the centre's activities and initiatives for the next 25 years in its mission to promote democracy, good governance, and inclusive development in Ghana and Africa.