Picture credit; 3news Ghana

The  Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) has held a two day national civil society organisations forum with the theme: “CSO’s Role in Transformational Local Governance reform in Ghana”. The forum took place from 27th to 28th June,2018 at the International Students Guest Centre, Teiman, Accra.

The national civil society organisations forum brought together civil society organisations from across the nation. The overall objective of the forum was to create space for dialogue and action with key stakeholders, especially CSO leaders towards mobilizing broad-based support for the forthcoming national referendum towards amending Article 55 of the 1992 constitution as contained in the message on the State of the Nation by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Akuffo Addo.

In attendance was the speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Prof Aaron Mike Ocquaye, Deputy minister for Local government and rural development Prof Atsu Aryee, Prof Kofi Quarshigah Dean-University of Ghana school of Law  and Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of IDEG.

The Speaker of Parliament in his address stated that there was an urgent need to build the capacity of women and also strengthen women’s participation in the local level politics. The deputy minister for Local Government in his speech explained that government in the past year has been committed to decentralizing power at the local level and that on 26th June 2018, the three northern regions were engaged in a dialogue about how government can decentralize power at the local level. Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey  in his opening statement explained that IDEG in the past years has championed such a course and it was great the president of the republic made it part of his priority. He also explained that IDEG will continue to champion it with the help of CSOs. He furthered explained that  the youth will be actively involved and also encouraged all present to take active part in the local level elections.

Participants were also given the chance to express themselves, ask questions and also bring out possible solutions in making the wish of the president in his statement  a reality. The forum came to an end with a statement issued by the CSOs to Parliament on the need to fast track the amendment of article 55(3) of the 1992 Constitution and also explaining why it must be amended.

Victoria Quaynor

CYIB – Curious Minds