Constitutional literacy in Africa : imperatives for an informed, engaged and empowered citizenry

Abstract

Although scholars have pointed to a global problem of constitutional illiteracy, the situation is particularly acute in Africa. Unlike in most Western democracies, constitutional literacy and the need for measures to address it have not attracted the necessary attention in Africa at either national or continental levels. The contention of this paper is that the future of constitutionalism, democracy, and good governance in Africa depends not only on how sound constitutions are but on how well the people of the continent know the constitutions, appreciate their significance, and are ready to engage with all aspects of them in their daily lives. To consider how knowledgeof their constitutions could empower ordinary Africans and enable more involvement in governance, the paper begins by looking briefly at the concept of constitutional literacy and its relevance to contemporary developments before discussing attempts made in some African countries to promote such literacy. The paper highlights measures that are essential for fostering a culture of constitutional literacy. The crux of the argument is that the prospects for a sustained struggle for constitutional democracy in Africa would be enhanced by an actively informed citizenry that understands the content, purposes, and values of its constitutions.