The Constitution Review Committee (CRC) held its fourth zonal public engagement on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capital View Hotel in Koforidua, in the Eastern Region, as part of nationwide consultations to gather public input on potential constitutional reforms.

The well-attended forum drew a diverse mix of participants including the Eastern Regional Minister, the Omanhene of the Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), clergy, students, small business owners, retirees, security personnel, youth advocates, and civil society representatives, among others. The event was also live-streamed to allow broader public participation.

As with previous engagements, several pressing issues emerged prominently in public contributions. These included:

Calls for local participation in natural resource governance and benefit-sharing

Debate over the election of MMDCEs, including associated reforms

Suggestions to extend the presidential and parliamentary term from four to five years or more

Proposals to reform the Council of State to enhance its relevance and effectiveness

Concerns about recruitment and appointments in the public service and state-owned enterprises

Tackling the monetisation of politics and elections

Legal and social protections for persons with disabilities

Strengthening the enforcement of enacted laws

Safeguarding the independence of the judiciary, Electoral Commission, and other constitutional bodies

The Committee expressed its appreciation for the overwhelming participation and the depth of insight provided at the Koforidua engagement.

Special thanks were extended to the Regional Directors of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and their staff for their continued support in mobilizing citizens and facilitating the sessions.

The CRC announced that its fifth zonal public engagement will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at GNAT Hall in Ho, the Volta Regional capital.

Ghanaians are also encouraged to continue submitting written contributions to the ongoing constitutional review process via email at [email protected].

“Be a citizen, not a spectator,” the Committee urged, reaffirming its commitment to an inclusive, participatory, and transparent review process that reflects the voices of all segments of Ghanaian society.