The Foundation for Democratic Integrity (FDI), a civil society organisation has called for an all-inclusive government reflecting the diverse voices of the population.
That requires an increased representation of women, youth, and marginalized, vulnerable and other minority groups in government and decision-making processes.
“Democracy thrives when all citizens have a seat at the table”, the foundation stated in a statement issued, calling for adequate funding and resources for the Commission on Human Rights and Administration Justice (CHRAJ).
The statement signed by Mr Kyei Sarpong, its Executive Director, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani on Monday, urged the government to also enforce existing laws, ensuring that public officials were held accountable for their actions and inactions.
It emphasised that the CHRAJ required enough funding and logistical support to deliver its constitutional obligations of fighting corruption and preserving the basic rights and dignity of the citizenry.
There is also the need for the government to implement stringent anti-corruption measures and strengthen relevant public institutions in the anti-corruption space.
“In a bid to bolster democratic integrity in Ghana, the Executive Director of the FDI is implementing a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening democratic processes and institutions across the nation”, it stated.
The statement emphasized the critical need for robust democratic systems to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance, calling for increased funding for the Electoral Commission (EC) too.
“The EC also requires increased funding for training and adoption of advanced technology to ensure accurate voter registration and efficient vote counting during the General Election”, it stated, saying a credible electoral process remained fundamental to maintaining public trust in democracy.
It explained that the FDI planned to launch a nationwide civic education campaign aimed at increasing public awareness of democratic rights and responsibilities, explaining that the campaign would involve partnerships with schools, community organizations and the media.
That would further educate citizens on the importance of active participation in democratic processes, it added, underlining the need to empower the public to demand accountability from public officials.
