Also known as: CDD-Ghana
Ghanaian think tank and civil society organization focused on democratic governance, constitutional reform, and institutional accountability.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Joy Online
… The organisations, including Transparency International Ghana, CDD-Ghana, IMANI Africa, and the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, say their intervention is driven by a commitment to constitutionalism, accountability, anti-corruption efforts, and the preservation of independent pub …
Constitution must be amended to create independent prosecutorial authority – Deputy AGJoy Online
… The organisations, including Transparency International Ghana, CDD-Ghana, IMANI Africa and Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, say their intervention is motivated by a commitment to constitutionalism, accountability, anti-corruption and the preservation of independent public institu …
High Court right to rule OSP Act cannot override Constitution – Dr Srem-SaiJoy Online
… The organisations, including Transparency International Ghana, CDD-Ghana, IMANI Africa and Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, say their intervention is motivated by a commitment to constitutionalism, accountability, anti-corruption and the preservation of independent public institu …
OSP established under ordinary legislation, not constitutional amendment – Deputy AGJoy Online
… The Platform reaffirmed its commitment to supporting what it described as “an open, inclusive, and citizen-centred constitutional reform process.” The Citizens’ Platform on Constitutional Reforms is a coalition facilitated by CDD-Ghana, STAR-Ghana Foundation and Democracy Hub, br …
80 CSOs urge government to release full Constitutional Review Committee reportJoy Online
… The African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC), the Community of Practice on Political Finance in Africa, CDD-Ghana, Open Society Foundations, and Transparency International jointly organised the programme. …
Let’s liberate African politics from the tyranny of money – Ibn ChambasJoy Online
Dr John Osae-Kwapong, Director of Quality Assurance and Institutional Effectiveness at Ashesi University and Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has expressed concerns about the reintroduction of tribunal courts, citing negative memories associated with t …
Tribunal courts require public education to address past concerns — Dr Osae-KwapongJoy Online
… e lawyer and entrepreneur; James Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Greater Impact Africa (ConCES) and lecturer at UPSA; and Dr John Osae-Kwapong, Director of Quality Assurance and Institutional Effectiveness at Ashesi University and Fellow of CDD-Ghana …
Live: Newsfile discusses EOCO vs Miracles Aboagye, Tribunals Bill, galamsey, BoG saga, and NPP pollsJoy Online
A Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr John Osae-Kwapong, has argued that heads of state institutions should not remain in office if they repeatedly preside over actions that violate the Constitution. …
Repeated constitutional violations should cost state institution heads their jobs – Osae-KwapongJoy Online
Dr John Osae-Kwapong, a Fellow at CDD-Ghana, has argued that public accountability over the conduct of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) should not end with individual officers but must extend to the political authorities who supervise the institution. …
Don’t blame only EOCO officers; hold their political bosses accountable – Osae-KwapongJoy Online
Dr John Osae-Kwapong, a Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has urged Ghana to break the cycle where every investigation involving high-profile public figures is viewed through a political lens. …
Ghana must end the cycle where every high-profile investigation becomes political – CDD FellowNDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia has called for fundamental reforms within political parties and the judiciary, arguing that political parties must function as permanent democratic institutions beyond electoral machines, and the judiciary must remain independent and provide accessible, impartial, timely and credible justice.
11 August 2026 · Joy Online →
NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia has called for fundamental reforms within political parties and the judiciary, arguing that political parties must function as permanent democratic institutions beyond electoral machines, and the judiciary must remain independent and provide accessible, impartial, timely and credible justice.
11 August 2026 · Joy Online →
NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia called for African political parties to move beyond their focus on winning elections and become permanent institutions for democratic governance, arguing they cannot credibly defend democracy at the national level if they fail to uphold democratic principles within their own structures.
11 August 2026 · Joy Online →
A CDD-Ghana fellow says Ghanaian law enforcement agencies possess information that could support domestic investigations into AKSA Energy-related bribery allegations linked to a power plant deal, following collaboration with US authorities that contributed to a conviction.
10 August 2026 · Joy Online →
JoyNews journalist Maame Esi Nyamekye Thompson hosted the 21st Kronti ne Akwamu Lecture at CDD-Ghana, featuring UN Special Envoy Hannah Tetteh discussing how the international system is shifting from multilateral cooperation toward geopolitical rivalry, exposing smaller economies to greater vulnerabilities.
4 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, Chairperson of the 2025 Constitution Review Committee, has called for Ghana's constitutional review process to be conducted free from partisan political interests, emphasizing that the Constitution should serve the country's long-term governance needs rather than advance any political party's agenda.
3 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, chair of the 2025 Constitution Review Committee, has urged against rushing Ghana's constitutional review, saying the process must be thorough, transparent, and inclusive with adequate opportunity for citizens' views to be gathered and considered.
3 August 2026 · Joy Online →
JoyNews' PM Express will host Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of CDD-Ghana and Chairperson of the 2025 Constitution Review Committee, to discuss the government's White Paper on constitutional review recommendations and implications for Ghana's governance framework and institutional reforms.
3 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's 1992 Constitution has provided 34 years of stable elections and peaceful government transitions, but has failed to generate inclusive welfare for the majority of Ghanaians, particularly unemployed youth. An opinion piece argues that constitutional reform offers a pathway to recalibrate political institutions and enable socio-economic transformation, but requires credible, sincere citizen engagement to succeed.
30 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr Kojo Asante, Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at CDD-Ghana, has praised the Supreme Court's decision declaring the delegate system unconstitutional, calling it a bold judgment that could reshape internal party democracy and accelerate reforms in political parties. He noted the ruling's timing coincides with Ghana's constitutional review process and expressed optimism it would catalyse democratic reforms and reduce money's influence in internal elections.
30 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has maintained that Parliament cannot transfer the Attorney-General's constitutionally mandated prosecutorial powers to the Office of the Special Prosecutor through ordinary legislation, arguing that only the person to whom the Constitution grants authority can delegate it.
26 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai argues that Ghana cannot establish an independent prosecutorial authority or give the Office of the Special Prosecutor independent prosecutorial powers without amending Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution, which vests prosecutorial authority in the Attorney-General.
26 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai defended the High Court's ruling that the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, as ordinary legislation, cannot alter constitutional powers vested in the Attorney-General under Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution. He stated that only formal constitutional amendment procedures can change constitutional provisions, not ordinary parliamentary acts.
26 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has stated that the Office of the Special Prosecutor was established through ordinary legislation under Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution, not a constitutional amendment, and that the OSP Act cannot alter the constitutional powers of the Attorney-General or create an independent prosecutorial authority outside the Constitution's framework.
26 July 2026 · Joy Online →
A coalition of 80 civil society organisations has welcomed government progress on constitutional reforms but is calling for immediate publication of the full Constitutional Review Committee report to enable informed public discussion and engagement.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former UN Office for West Africa Head, has urged African leaders to enact strong political finance rules to ensure transparency in campaign funding. He was speaking at a High-Level Convening in Ghana where the Accra Declaration on Regulating Financing of Politics in Africa was adopted to advance democratic integrity on the continent.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr John Osae-Kwapong, Director of Quality Assurance at Ashesi University, has expressed concerns about the reintroduction of tribunal courts, citing negative historical memories associated with the system. He says extensive public education on their mandate, processes and safeguards is needed to address historical perceptions and rebuild public confidence in the recently passed Regional Tribunals Act.
18 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana's Newsfile programme will air Saturday with a panel of lawyers and experts discussing the GH¢50 million bail case involving Dennis Miracles Aboagye and EOCO, Parliament's passage of the Tribunals Bill 2026, environmental governance issues including Achimota Forest and illegal mining, and the Bank of Ghana saga.
17 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr John Osae-Kwapong of the Centre for Democratic Development argues that heads of state institutions should be removed from office if they repeatedly oversee constitutional breaches, saying accountability must extend to leadership and those who appoint them, though he acknowledges the challenge that many such heads are political appointees.
16 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr John Osae-Kwapong argues that accountability for EOCO's conduct should extend beyond individual officers to the political authorities who supervise the institution, noting that agency heads are political appointees and leadership changes often follow elections, complicating efforts to separate administrative actions from politics especially when investigations involve high-profile political figures.
15 July 2026 · Joy Online →
A CDD-Ghana fellow argues that Ghana's practice of appointing heads of state institutions on political grounds makes it hard for citizens to view investigations into prominent officials as purely administrative rather than politically motivated, and suggests the country must rethink how its institutions operate.
15 July 2026 · Joy Online →
JoyNews Research Analyst Caleb Ziblim was named Overall Best Fellow at the inaugural Africa Extractives Media Fellowship, winning four awards including the Berenice Owen-Jones Award for in-depth analytical reporting, the Prolific Reporter Award, Data and Technology Award, and Investigative Impact Award. The six-month fellowship, delivered by Newswire Africa in partnership with the Australian High Commission in Ghana, trained journalists to strengthen reporting on Ghana's extractive sector.
9 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The article argues that Accra's perennial flooding is fundamentally a governance crisis rooted in institutional failures and inadequate urban planning, rather than a natural disaster cycle. The city's vulnerability stems from low-lying topography, an aging drainage system designed for a much smaller population, and a river network that existing infrastructure cannot accommodate.
6 July 2026 · Joy Online →
The Steering Committee of the Citizens' Platform on Constitutional Reform has urged President John Mahama and the Government to formally present a clear roadmap with defined timelines for the review of Ghana's 1992 Constitution. The Platform intends to request consultations with key national stakeholders, including the President and parliamentary leadership, to discuss the next phase of the reform process, more than four months after the Constitution Review Committee submitted its full report to the President in January 2026.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
A coalition of 14 Civil Society Organisations has appealed to Ghana's Supreme Court to affirm the constitutionality of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, describing it as vital to the country's anti-corruption framework. The court is set to deliver judgment on July 29, 2026, in the case *Adamtey v. Attorney-General*, which challenges the legality of the law establishing the OSP.
12 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Civil society organisations are pushing for major reforms to Ghana's electoral system, including a model law and independent regulator for campaign financing. According to CDD-Ghana, a draft model law aims to address gaps in the current framework—which largely regulates political parties but lacks spending limits—and to level the playing field for women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups disadvantaged by high campaign costs.
4 June 2026 · Joy Online →
Dr John Osae-Kwapong, Director of the Democracy Project at the Centre for Democratic Development, has urged the NDC leadership to establish guidelines to manage growing political ambitions and tensions within the party, so the Mahama administration can remain focused on governance.
25 May 2026 · Joy Online →
A Centre for Democratic Development director has cautioned that growing public tensions within the NDC — including friction between Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah — could distract the government from critical policy implementation if internal rivalries spill over publicly.
25 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Director of the Democracy Project at CDD-Ghana has described growing public tension within the NDC as a "worrying development" if allowed to intensify, cautioning that prolonged internal divisions could distract the government and affect public confidence in the administration. His comments follow a reported strained relationship and recent exchange of words between Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu and National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.
25 May 2026 · Joy Online →
The Centre for Democratic Development's Director of Advocacy has expressed concern over a growing pattern of arrests connected to alleged free speech violations in Ghana, warning that such prosecutions could set a dangerous precedent affecting journalists, commentators, and ordinary citizens. His remarks follow the arrest of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe under charges of offensive conduct.
20 May 2026 · Joy Online →
A senior researcher at CDD-Ghana cautions against broad attempts to criminalise speech, noting that Ghana's 2001 repeal of criminal libel laws was meant to limit circumstances for criminal sanctions, amid rising political tensions over the Mahama administration's alleged suppression of dissent and arrests of political opponents and critics.
20 May 2026 · Joy Online →