Work to strengthen democratic institutions: Dr Bawumia charges Democrat Union of Africa
THE Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has charged political leaders and members of the Democrat Union of Africa to work together to strengthen democratic institutions.
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That, he said, was because the future of the continent depended on their actions, and therefore, urged them to uphold the rule of law and create an environment where every African would have a decent shot at making it in life.
Dr Bawumia was addressing a forum organised by the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA), an alliance of centre-right political parties in Africa affiliated with the Global International Democracy Union (IDU), in Accra last Thursday.
Event
The forum, which was organised by DUA, in partnership with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, was on the theme: “Strengthening democratic institutions for political stability; Crafting Africa’s response.”
The forum has a history of featuring influential figures who have significantly advanced the cause of democracy.
It is convened annually to address critical emerging issues related to democracy and economic growth in Africa.
Support
Dr Bawumia stressed his unwavering support and that of Ghana to future DUA events, saying “together, we can continually engage and collaborate to provide Africa with a blueprint for an enviable democracy that stands as a model for the world.”
He was happy that all the political parties had aligned to foster collaboration through DUA to build a united, progressive and prosperous Africa.
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The Vice-President further extended his best wishes to political parties and candidates in their respective elections, including himself, as Ghana heads towards its general elections in December this year.
He said with the strong democratic track record of Ghana, the country served as a case study of both successes and complexities of consolidating democracy in Africa.
By leveraging Ghana's experiences, the Vice-President further said, the forum aimed to spark solution-oriented conversations and foster a shared commitment to solidify democratic institutions across the continent.
He, however, said the journey towards consolidating democracy in Ghana had not been without challenges, adding that “our commitment to upholding democratic principles has remained steadfast.”
Democracy and prosperity
Sharing his thoughts on the topic: “The interplay of democracy and prosperity- building a thriving nation,” a former Chairman of the union, Peter Mac Manu, defined democracy as the foundation of modern governance, which he said was shaping countries across the world.
He said a democratic system emphasised the power of citizens which allowed them to participate in decision-making processes while they enjoyed their fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Mr Manu said democracy was not just about periodic electoral cycles and accountability, but also ensured that the voice of every individual resonated in the decision making process of a nation.
For her part, a Co-Chair of DUA, Louisa Atta- Agyemang, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the NPP for supporting the union, and that their dedication to public service, especially the commitment to youth empowerment, had been inspiring.
She said the forum was committed to the principles of transparency, accountability, inclusivity and the rule of law..
