Restoring hope in Ghana’s democracy: A collective responsibility

Ghana's democracy, once hailed as a beacon of hope in Africa, is now facing significant challenges.

Many Ghanaians, including prominent leaders, feel that democracy has not fully met the people's aspirations.

Recently, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, highlighted that Ghana’s democracy has failed to meet the expectations of many. Bagbin's assessment carries weight, given his extensive experience in Ghanaian politics since the early 1990s.

His views echo the sentiments of many Ghanaians disillusioned with the country's current state of democracy. This article delves into the roles of various stakeholders in contributing to the failure and what could be done to revive Ghana’s democracy.

Collective Failure?

Ghana's political system has faced criticism for prioritising personal and party interests over national welfare. Issues such as corruption, nepotism and lack of accountability have eroded public trust in the political leadership.

Parliament has been seen as a rubber stamp for the executive, failing to provide sufficient checks and balances. This has resulted in weak legislative oversight and ineffective governance.

The concentration of power within the executive branch has been noted, often bypassing other branches of government. This centralisation of power can undermine democratic principles by reducing transparency and accountability, which are essential for democratic development.

There have been instances where executive decisions were made without consulting Parliament, leading to policies that do not reflect the broader interests of the populace.

Moreover, there has been perceived corruption within the judiciary, and its lack of independence from the executive has weakened the rule of law. Citizens' confidence in the judicial system's ability to deliver impartial justice diminishes when they believe that judges can be influenced by political or financial pressures.

The media plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse, but bias and sensationalism can exacerbate political tensions and spread misinformation. Media outlets favouring certain political parties or candidates can skew public perception and hinder informed decision-making.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) are vital for advocating democratic principles and holding the government accountable. However, fragmented and underfunded organisations struggle to effectively fulfil their role in overseeing government actions.

Religious leaders hold significant influence in Ghanaian society, and when they become involved in partisan politics, it can polarise communities and undermine their moral authority.

Educational institutions play a crucial role in teaching democratic values and civic responsibilities. However, inadequate civics education can result in a populace that is less informed about their rights and responsibilities as citizens, leading to lower levels of political engagement and participation.

Overall, apathy and disengagement among citizens have contributed to the weakening of democratic participation. Many people feel disillusioned or disconnected from the political process, leading to a lack of confidence in the democratic system.

Collective responsibility

To strengthen Ghana’s democracy, there is a need for collective efforts. Parliament must actively scrutinise and debate executive decisions. This doesn’t require constitutional reforms but rather patriotic parliamentarians committed to their duties.

If Parliament stands firm, it will gain public support. Capacity-building training and resources for parliamentarians can improve their legislative and oversight skills. Most importantly, Parliament should engage the public through hearings and consultations to build trust.

We need to decentralise executive powers by strengthening local government structures, and ensuring decision-making reflects local needs. Transparency in executive decisions is crucial, including public disclosure of government contracts and expenditures. Additionally, reinforcing the independence of other government branches will provide effective checks on executive power.

The judiciary must undergo reforms to ensure its independence from political influence. Strengthening anti-corruption measures, including transparent disciplinary processes and whistle-blower protections, are essential.

Enhancing public confidence in the judiciary through outreach and education about judicial processes and rights is also vital.

The media should establish and enforce self-regulations that promote balanced and responsible journalism while protecting press freedom. Promoting media literacy among the public will help them critically evaluate news sources and information.

Strengthening CSOs is critical, especially since Ghana’s low-middle-income status has affected their funding sources. Development partners interested in Ghana’s democracy should help resource CSOs to enhance their capacity to advocate democratic principles and hold the government accountable.

CSOs should also encourage collaboration and coordination to create a unified voice on key issues. Training and support are needed to improve their effectiveness in advocacy and oversight.

Religious leaders should maintain neutrality in political matters and focus on their moral and ethical roles. They should engage in community-building activities that promote unity and social cohesion and be educated about the importance of separating religion from partisan politics.

Reintroducing and strengthening civics education in school curricula is necessary to teach students about democratic values and civic responsibilities. Extracurricular activities that encourage civic engagement, such as student councils and debate clubs, should be promoted.

The National Commission for Civic Education must be strengthened to play a central role in educating the public and all state institutions, including the executive, parliament, judiciary, media, CSOs, religious bodies and schools.

The writer is a Political Scientist