A board member of West African Democracy Radio (WADR) and member of Meta's Oversight Board, Afua Asantewaa Asare-Kyei, has described Ghana's long-lasting democracy as one that has failed to reflect the socio-economic lives of the people.
Speaking at a WADR democracy forum for stakeholders ahead of the 2024 election, on the theme "Strengthening Democratic Processes: Ghana's Preparedness for Free, Fair, and Transparent Elections," the human rights lawyer labeled the stable democracy as largely performative. "Consecutive elections and the alternation of power, some would argue, are not trivial accomplishments, particularly when viewed in light of the country's history of military coups, counter-coups, short-lived governments, and trends elsewhere-not just in West Africa but beyond the continent.
However, a lot is not going well, unfortunately," she told stakeholders. "I am of the humble opinion that Ghana's electoral democracy has become highly performative.
The socio-economic trends and realities paint a very different picture of the country.