Tuesday, 21st April, 2026
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of FOSDA, I am pleased to join this important press conference on the constitutional reform process in Ghana. We commend the work of the Constitutional Review Committee and all stakeholders who have contributed to the report. This moment presents a historic opportunity to strengthen our democratic foundations and to ensure that the Constitution responds more effectively to the realities of our time.
From FOSDA’s perspective, one of the most important areas of the report is its implication for peace and security. In Ghana today, peace and security cannot be discussed without paying attention to the role of young people. Youth constitute a significant proportion of the population, yet they continue to face exclusion from meaningful decision-making, limited economic opportunities, and weak representation in governance. When young people are left out of the systems that shape their future, the risk of frustration, disengagement, manipulation, and vulnerability to violence increases.
We therefore believe that constitutional reform must go beyond institutional adjustments and address the deeper issues of inclusion, accountability, and civic participation. A democratic constitution should create stronger safeguards for youth participation in public life, protect their rights, and provide clear pathways for their engagement in governance, policy-making, and peacebuilding. This is especially important in a context where electoral tensions, political polarization, community disputes, and the misuse of young people for partisan purposes continue to threaten social cohesion.
FOSDA is particularly encouraged by any recommendations in the report that strengthen national peace infrastructure, promote conflict prevention, and enhance the accountability of public institutions. We believe that peace is not only the absence of violence; it is also the presence of justice, fairness, inclusion, and opportunity. A revised constitutional order must therefore help to build a society where young people are not just seen as voters or campaign supporters, but as active citizens and partners in sustaining peace and democracy.
As we move forward, FOSDA calls for a broad, transparent, and inclusive national conversation on the constitutional review report, with deliberate attention to the voices of youth, women, civil society, traditional authorities, and other marginalized groups. If the constitutional reform process is to truly serve the future of Ghana, it must reflect the aspirations of the young majority who will inherit its outcomes.
We stand ready to support efforts that promote peace, security, and meaningful youth inclusion in the constitutional reform process.
Thank you.
2 Comments
Great article, very helpful!
Excellent explanation, thanks!
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