President Mahama Hails Contributions of CSOs to Nation Building

Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has hailed the contributions of civil society organizations (CSOs) in nation building. He described them as indispensable to nation-building, accountability, and the enhancement of democracy. According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama emphasized the role of civil society as a partner in nation-building rather than an adversary, committing to maintain open engagement and regular dialogue platforms to ensure diverse perspectives inform policymaking. During a Presidential Engagement with CSOs, he highlighted the importance of listening to viewpoints, sharing ideas on national priorities, and deepening collaboration between government and civil society. This engagement, attended by ministers and senior officials, aims to lead to meaningful outcomes. President Mahama noted the passage of the Governance Advisory Bill as a step toward participatory governance, which creates a formal structure for continuous citizen and stakeholder input into decision-making processes. He reiterated the vital role CSOs play in Ghana's democratic journey through advocacy, research, community engagement, and watchdog functions, contributing to accountable governance and reinforcing the need for participatory, inclusive, and responsive governance. The President emphasized that national transformation is a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of all society segments. He reaffirmed the commitment to uphold the rule of law, protect fundamental human rights, and strengthen independent institutions. Concerns about civic space, freedom of expression, and accountability were acknowledged, with media scrutiny and fair criticism recognized as assets to governance. President Mahama announced that the Government is examining recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee and plans to establish the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee (CRIC) to oversee the next phase. The constitutional review process aims to deepen democratic governance, strengthen checks and ba lances, and ensure the constitutional framework reflects the evolving aspirations of Ghanaians. He outlined measures to improve transparency and accountability, including improving public financial management, increasing procurement transparency, and upholding ethical standards. The Public Officers' Code of Conduct Bill, currently before Parliament, seeks to define clear standards and address conflict of interest. Civil society organizations are encouraged to engage actively with legislative processes, support public awareness, monitor public projects, oversee budget execution, and strengthen social accountability to rebuild public trust in institutions. Addressing concerns from investigations into procurement processes under the Big Push programme, President Mahama stated steps are being taken to obtain full reports, assess allegations, and request responses from relevant ministries. Plans to amend the Public Procurement Act aim to limit single sourcing and promote transparency. An Independent Value for Money Office is being fast-tracked to review procurement decisions rigorously, reducing reliance on single sourcing and consulting stakeholders on proposed legislative changes. President Mahama highlighted economic policies such as the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, focusing on expanding job opportunities for young people, supporting SMEs, and promoting export-led growth. Social sector interventions include strengthening the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, expanding healthcare access, and introducing apprenticeship programmes. The Free Primary Healthcare Programme, set to launch on 15th April, aims to remove financial barriers to basic healthcare and improve community-level access. Civil society is expected to support education, monitoring, and feedback for this initiative.