Rethinking governance: People-centred constitutional reset for inclusive development

A nation-state, drawing its people from all walks of life, must reflect solidarity and equity in its governance framework, particularly in its electoral system. 

Ghana’s Constitution exists to serve the aspirations of its people, evolving to meet contemporary needs. However, governance challenges such as corruption, inefficiency and weak institutional structures have hindered national progress.

The 2024 General Elections highlighted public frustration and underscored the urgent need for systemic reform.

Ghana’s governance operates with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) setting policies with programme of action, mostly implemented at the district assemblies. 

Yet, bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of innovation have slowed economic growth and job creation.

Decentralisation is vital for democracy, but the governance structure remains overly centralised, restricting grass-roots participation.

Additionally, public service structures, security institutions and traditional governance frameworks require reforms to enhance efficiency, accountability, and national development.

Challenges

Despite constitutional provisions, corruption remains deeply embedded at all levels of society, extending beyond politicians into public institutions.

The country faces key governance issues, including:

• Electoral system inequities: 
The current system allows a few politically dominant regions to disproportionately determine election outcomes, leading to voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice.

•Institutional corruption:
A lack of transparency and weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws erodes public trust and economic stability.

• Bureaucratic inefficiencies: 
Delays in policy execution and excessive political interference in governance limit progress.

• Centralised governance:
Weak decentralisation restricts regional and district-level decision-making.

• Security and public sector gaps: 
Political appointments compromise meritocracy in security institutions, while weak performance monitoring systems further undermine efficiency.

• Limited Diaspora & Pan-African Engagement:
Ghana has yet to fully integrate African diaspora communities into its governance and development efforts.

Without constitutional reforms, Ghana risks deepening governance inefficiencies, economic stagnation and social instability.

Question: How can Ghana restructure its governance and electoral system to ensure transparency, efficiency, and inclusive participation while strengthening institutional accountability?

Proposed constitutional reforms- 

A progressively inclusive people-centred constitutional construct is needed to reset Ghana’s governance system.

Key solutions include: 

● Electoral system overhaul for equity and fairness: Adopt the Council of State electoral method for presidential elections:

i. All eligible voters in a region or district cast their votes, which are summed up to count as a single regional or district vote.
ii. This ensures that elections are determined based on the number of regions or districts won, rather than a disproportionate influence from a few dominant areas.
iii. This model eliminates illegal practices such as ballot stuffing in strongholds of political parties.
Maintain Parliamentary elections at the constituency level while applying the regional voting principle to presidential elections to ensure equity, fairness and just representation.

● Decentralisation and governance Reforms

i. Elect Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) instead of appointing them, indeed, enhances local accountability.
ii. Abolish Regional Ministers and empower District Coordinating Councils for greater local autonomy.
iii.Strengthen the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) to enforce policy implementation across all governance levels.

●Anti-Corruption and institutional reforms

i. Establish a constitutionally backed anti-corruption framework with strict enforcement and severe penalties.
ii. Implement a meritocratic system in public institutions and security services to curb political appointments.
iii.Conduct structured performance reviews for all public officials, linking promotions to measurable outcomes.

● Traditional and alternative governance integration

i. Integrate four traditional rulers with gender parity into District Assemblies to incorporate indigenous governance wisdom.
ii. Institutionalise Traditional Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for land, family and chieftaincy disputes, reducing pressure on the judiciary.

● Security and public sector restructuring

i. Restore the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) name for national security clarity and professionalism.
ii. Ensure merit-based promotion in security services to enhance efficiency and accountability.
ii. Transform prisons into correctional centres with skills training and monitored community reintegration programmes.

● Civic participation and national engagement-

i. Declare National Voluntary Work Days (e.g., Independence Day) for community service, reinforcing civic responsibility.
ii. Strengthen performance monitoring systems under the Office of the Vice-President to ensure institutional accountability.

● Diaspora and Pan-African inclusion-

i. Enable dual citizenship holders to participate in governance and bring global expertise into national development.
ii. Open pathways for African-descendant communities to engage in local governance, advancing Pan-African collaboration.

These constitutional reforms will foster a transparent, decentralised and meritocratic governance system that eliminates electoral irregularities, enhances institutional efficiency, and promotes inclusive national development.

By rethinking Ghana’s governance structure, the nation can transition from a politically fragile system to a model of people-centred democracy and equitable development.

The writer is the CEO, 
AfriKan Continental Union Consult (ACUC).