The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) has launched an initiative to enhance civic engagement in Ghana’s constitutional review process.

The programme aims to equip grassroots citizens with the capacity to effectively participate in the review process.

Douglas Quartey, Development Consultant at IDEG, stressed the importance of citizen empowerment at a workshop held at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale.

Organised under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Citizen Engagement in Ghana’s Constitutional Review Process,” the workshop formed part of IDEG’s mission to strengthen governance and institutional reforms. It attracted participants from five regions in Northern Ghana.

Attendees were introduced to advocacy techniques, including the development of position papers as a tool to influence policy during the review process.

Mr. Quartey provided practical guidance, explaining how to draft and present position papers that reflect community interests and priorities.

“Tailoring your communication to your target audience, whether it is local assembly, MP, traditional and faith leaders, is key to ensuring your message is heard and also acted on by the people who matter,” he stated.

He urged participants to focus on clarity, relevance, and impact in their proposals.

The workshop employed an interactive format, allowing participants to work in groups to draft their own position papers.

A first-time participant shared, “At first, I was nervous about presenting in front of everyone because I am naturally shy. But thanks to the encouragement and support from my teammates, I was able to overcome my fear of speaking in public to present a position paper.”

Funded by Oxfam, the workshop discussed citizen-driven recommendations to support ongoing consultations with the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), reinforcing the role of civic participation in shaping Ghana’s democratic future.