Thwarting expectancy, igniting spirit of activism in Ghana

Civic participation is a key pillar for national development.

Ghana’s National Anthem and other famous patriotic songs, such “as a citizen of the land, you have to get involved because decision making is not a one man show and government making is never for one man” and leaders like President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former US President, Barack Obama, have urged Ghanaians to engage in governance actively.

Despite this, most citizens engage only during elections, retreating into passivity afterward.

This political apathy weakens democracy, allowing unchecked power.

Plato’s warning, "The price of apathy is to be ruled by evil men," remains relevant today, as when leaders go unmonitored, accountability falters.

Political passivity

After elections, many Ghanaians disengage from governance, allowing political leaders to act without oversight.

Marian Wright Edelman said, “Democracy is not a spectator sport,” yet in Ghana, participation is often limited to the voting process.

Citizens feel powerless afterward, believing their role ends at the ballot box. This detachment benefits those in power, as pressure for transparency and accountability diminishes.
Several factors fuel political apathy in Ghana:

a) Lack of platforms for engagement: Beyond elections, citizens often have no clear avenues to engage in governance. Town hall meetings and policy forums are either inaccessible or dominated by elites.

b) Historical and cultural actors: Ghana’s history of military rule has fostered a culture of silence, making many hesitant to question authority.

c) Perceived irrelevance of voices: Many believe their input has little impact on governance, which they see as controlled by elites, leaving them as mere spectators.

Rekindle

To counter this passivity, we must rekindle civic activism. Here's how:

a) Continuous civic education: Education must go beyond elections, teaching citizens how to engage year-round. Outreach programmes, media campaigns and school curricula can help ensure that civic participation is an ongoing duty.

b) Creating platforms for participation: Governments and civil society must provide accessible platforms, like town hall meetings, online forums, and policy discussions, where citizens can directly engage decision-makers.

c) Leveraging technology: Social media and technology offer new avenues for activism, especially among the youth. Online petitions, virtual forums, and other digital tools can foster a more vibrant civic space.

d) Engaging marginalised groups: Youth, women, and marginalised communities often have less representation in politics. Empowering these groups through mentorship, leadership training and grassroots mobilisation will drive meaningful change.

Role

The media and civil society organisations (CSOs) play a vital role in fostering civic engagement:

a) Independent media: A free, independent press must continue holding government accountable through investigative journalism and providing platforms for public discourse.

b) Civil society Organisations: CSOs should mobilise citizens, advocate transparency , providing civic engagement training and helping citizens monitor government actions.

Call to action

As Louis Brandeis stated, “In a democracy, the most important office is that of the citizen.” Civic activism is not optional but a duty for all Ghanaians. Through continuous engagement, education and leveraging technology, we can build a politically active citizenry that holds leaders accountable. 

Every Ghanaian has a role in shaping the nation’s future, and only through active participation can we ensure a brighter, more accountable political system. God bless us all! Long-live Ghana! Long-live the daily graphic!

The writer is a Former Civic Education Officer, NCCE; 
now with the Procurement Directorate,
 Accra Technical University.
E-mail: snrawuah@gmail.com