In our political lexicon, it often feels like the label “neutral” is unacceptable. In the lead up to the 2016 election on Facebook, where I am active, it was quite instructive to observe how “neutrals” were treated. No one is “neutral” argued the partisans. To them, the label was nothing but a way to disguise […]
Election 2024: The Politically Neutral Voter Read More »
Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman has been officially outdoored as John Mahama’s running mate for the 2024 presidential elections. In accepting the nomination on Wednesday April 24th, 2024 she delivered a speech that touched on several important issues as Ghanaians get ready to decide which political party’s candidate gets their nod come December 2024. Key Points
Election 2024: Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman’s Speech Read More »
“Democracy is preferable to any other form of government,” most Ghanaians (77%) say. Yet only fifty-on percent (51%) express satisfaction with “the way democracy works in the country.” Also, thirty-three percent (33%) describe the country as a “democracy, but with major problems.” This is all according to the most recent round (2022) of the Afrobarometer
The Democracy Project Read More »
In democracies, elections are used to competitively select leaders and offers citizens two important things – participation and voice. Elections however, come with challenges and sometimes controversy. It is a key activity at the heart of all democracies. Elections however are not without challenges and sometimes controversy. The West Africa region has experienced its fair
Still on the theme on the current state of democracy in West-Africa and the challenges being faced, I return this week to discuss the last set of worrying signs that has the potential to chip away at the peace I often say citizens have made with democracy. In this piece I focus on government performance
West Africa’s Democracy: Worrying Signs, Hopeful Signs – Final Part Read More »
Last week, I discussed what I consider some very worrying signs about the state of democracy in West-Africa drawing on data from the Afrobarometer survey. I highlighted three worrying signs – a) the softening of citizens’ attitudes towards military regimes; b) growing doubts about the democratic credentials of countries in the region; and c) a
West Africa’s Democracy: Worrying signs, hopeful signals – Part II Read More »
On September 29, 2023, Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo said this “As all of us know, despite the considerable progress made by the community, in the areas of democracy, good governance and the rule of law since the early 1990s, which meant that, four (4) years ago, all fifteen (15) leaders of ECOWAS States were democratically elected,
West Africa’s Democracy: Worrying signs, hopeful signals – Part I Read More »
