John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, has urged African leaders to confront the challenges undermining democratic governance on the continent.
In his keynote address at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 64th Annual General Conference in Lagos, Mahama discussed Ghana’s democratic struggles, citing a recent Afrobarometer survey. The survey shows a troubling trend among Ghanaian youth, who are increasingly disillusioned with democracy and view military rule as a potential remedy for the failings of civilian leadership.
Mahama highlighted several concerning statistics from Ghana, revealing a widespread erosion of trust in democratic institutions. He warned that urgent action is needed to restore confidence and secure the future of democratic governance.
“Time is running out to make crucial decisions that will restore hope in our democratic systems,” Mahama said. “In Ghana, the latest Afrobarometer survey shows that 83% of Ghanaians believe the country is on the wrong track.”
He added, “85% of Ghanaians rate the economy as poor, and 72% describe their living conditions as ranging from fairly bad to bad. Trust in the Ghanaian Parliament has declined, with 55% of citizens losing faith, and 53% have lost trust in the presidency.”
Mahama also noted, “77% of Ghanaians feel the government is not adequately addressing corruption, while 64% believe it is failing to improve the economy. Alarmingly, 22% of Ghanaians think the country might be better off under military rule.”
“These figures reflect a significant decline in trust within Ghana’s democracy and serve as a critical alert for African leaders. The continent faces complex issues that could undermine our progress if not addressed promptly,” he concluded.
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