Accra, March 31, – President John Dramani Mahama has commended civil society organisations (CSOs) for their contributions to nation-building, describing them as indispensable to accountability, democratic development, and participatory governance.
Speaking at a Presidential Engagement with CSOs in Accra, President Mahama said civil society remained a critical partner in governance and national development rather than an adversary.
“Civil society is recognised as a partner in nation-building, with a commitment to maintain open engagement, institutionalise regular dialogue platforms, and ensure that diverse perspectives inform policymaking,” he stated.
The engagement formed part of a broader consultation process aimed at listening to stakeholder views, sharing ideas on national priorities, and strengthening collaboration between Government and civil society. Similar engagements have already been held with organised labour and private sector groups.
President Mahama said the passage of the Governance Advisory Bill marked an important step toward participatory governance by creating a formal structure for continuous citizen and stakeholder input into decision-making processes.
He noted that CSOs continued to play a vital role in Ghana’s democratic journey through advocacy, research, community engagement, and watchdog functions, contributing to accountable governance and inclusive national development.
The President said national transformation required collective effort and could not be achieved by Government alone, stressing the importance of collaboration among all sectors of society.
He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law, protect fundamental human rights, and strengthen independent institutions, while acknowledging concerns about civic space, freedom of expression, and accountability. He said media scrutiny and constructive criticism should be seen as assets that strengthen governance.
President Mahama said Government was reviewing recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee and would soon establish the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee to oversee the next phase of reforms, in line with constitutional processes.
He said the constitutional review process was aimed at deepening democratic governance, strengthening checks and balances, and ensuring that the Constitution continued to reflect the evolving aspirations of the Ghanaian people.
On transparency and accountability, the President said measures were being pursued to improve public financial management, increase procurement transparency, and uphold ethical standards in public service, including the proposed Public Officers’ Code of Conduct Bill before Parliament.
He encouraged CSOs to engage actively in legislative processes, public education, project monitoring, and budget oversight to strengthen social accountability and public trust in institutions.
President Mahama also reiterated that concerns raised over procurement processes under the Big Push infrastructure programme were being addressed, with steps taken to obtain reports, assess allegations, and request responses from relevant ministries, alongside plans to amend the Public Procurement Act to reduce single sourcing.
He said Government was fast-tracking the establishment of an Independent Value for Money Office to strengthen oversight of procurement decisions.
President Mahama said economic policies such as the 24-Hour Economy and the Accelerated Export Development Programme were being implemented to expand job opportunities, support small businesses, and promote export-led growth.
He added that social interventions included strengthening the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, expanding access to healthcare, and introducing apprenticeship programmes for the youth, while the Free Primary Healthcare Programme was scheduled for launch on April 15 to improve access to basic healthcare services.
GHBUSS
March 31, 2026
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