Civil society groups urge structural safeguards for constitutional reforms in Sierra Leone and Ghana

Civil society organisations and women leaders in Sierra Leone are advocating for greater female inclusion in the nation’s ongoing constitutional reform process. During a National Women’s Conference in Freetown, stakeholders emphasized the need for broader consultation, civic education, and meaningful participation in decision-making. Discussions specifically addressed political representation and whether a proposed 30 percent quota for women in political nominations would effectively translate into actual representation in Parliament.

In Ghana, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) is calling for the establishment of a legal framework to guide constitutional reforms. A coalition of over 100 civil society organisations expressed concerns that the reform process could be disrupted by elections or changes in government. They are advocating for a constitutional reform implementation roadmap backed by law to ensure continuity and to distinguish between reforms that can be implemented immediately and those requiring further consensus-building.