The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (GCDD) has released a comprehensive set of governance issues and reform proposals, urging political parties to incorporate these into their manifestos for the upcoming 2024 elections.
Highlighting the nation’s unprecedented challenges, including the worst economic crisis since the 1980s, rampant corruption, and youth unemployment, the GCDD emphasized that any serious manifesto must address these pressing issues with clear timelines and actionable steps.
Central to the GCDD’s proposals is a call for a revitalization of local governance, urging the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to enhance accountability and local democracy.
The Center noted, “The current local government system is ineffective and broken,” reflecting the dissatisfaction of 73% of Ghanaians with their local assemblies. The proposals also include significant reforms in public sector corruption, state-owned enterprises, and depoliticizing the public service to ensure a more accountable and effective government.
The GCDD warned that persistent misgovernance is threatening the foundations of Ghana’s democracy, as evidenced by a 23% drop in satisfaction with democracy between 2011 and 2023.
The Center urged political parties to present manifestos that offer clear solutions, stating, “The window for self-correction and mitigation is closing,” and calling on citizens to critically engage with the manifestos to ensure they address the nation’s most urgent challenges.
