The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) has urged broad national consensus and collective action to implement long-delayed constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s democracy.

According to the organisation, Ghana’s democratic future depends on decisive steps that enhance governance and rebuild public trust.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Emmanuel O. Akwetey, to mark Constitution Day on January 7, 2026, IDEG noted that Ghana’s 34 years of uninterrupted democratic rule under the Fourth Republic was a significant achievement.

However, it cautioned that persistent delays in constitutional reform posed serious risks to democratic consolidation.

IDEG observed that despite four successive governments between 2012 and 2025, key recommendations from constitutional review processes remained unimplemented.

It attributed this to “weak national consensus and the absence of a permanent and independent institutional framework to fully implement the reforms.”

The organisation said the renewed constitutional review process had come at a critical moment, as West Africa grappled with democratic regression, declining confidence in multiparty democracy, rising support for military rule, and growing youth disenchantment with democratic governance.

“These developments collectively threaten Ghana’s democratic consolidation and its role as a democratic anchor in the sub-region,” the statement said.

IDEG welcomed the submission of the Constitution Review Committee’s report and commended President John Dramani Mahama for ensuring its immediate public release, describing the move as “a critical opportunity to reset Ghana’s governance architecture.”

The statement acknowledged progress made during President Mahama’s first year in office, citing improvements in macroeconomic stability, investor confidence, and governance reforms as efforts aimed at rebuilding national trust and strengthening institutional accountability.

IDEG called for lessons from past failed reform efforts to guide the current process, stressing that safeguarding Ghana’s democracy required unity and active citizen participation.

“The true defence of Ghana’s democracy lies in a collective commitment to good governance, inclusion, justice, and the rejection of the politics of division,” it said.

Quoting President Mahama’s New Year address, IDEG reiterated that “governments do not build nations alone; they do that with their citizenry,” urging Ghanaians to place the national interest above partisan conflict as the constitutional reform process moves forward.