Of the 54 countries in Africa, Ghana is one of nine considered to be democratic. While the country has made significant strides since its democratic transition in 1992, recommendations recently released by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) assess how government and civil society can work to make its democracy more functional and inclusive. The threat of corruption and lack of transparency remain significant barriers to achieving a fully functioning democracy, and require work from several government and civic parties to be addressed.

Foremost, the piece notes that changes to the constitution are needed to strengthen the separation of power within the government to ensure no office holds undue influence over others. It also highlights the utmost importance for civil society and government to work together to “deepen citizen understanding of the tenets of democracy beyond elections and majority rule, and strengthen commitment to the…full inclusion of all groups, and protection of religious, ethnic, sexual, and other minorities.” Read more of CDD-Ghana’s recommendations here.