As Ghanaians prepare to head to the polls this Saturday, the Kofi Annan Foundation urges them to vote for Ghana.
Kofi Annan was proud to come from Sub-Saharan Africa’s first independent country and one of its most vibrant democracies. His nationality was one factor contributing to his reputation as an honest broker in international affairs.
At a time when democracy is backsliding around the world, including in West Africa, Ghana stands out as a beacon of hope. Yet we know that Ghana’s democracy, like all democracies, is fragile.
Like in many African countries, the heavy debt burden shouldered by the government, increased difficulties for businesses to access capital, high taxation, youth unemployment and limited access to essential services in health and education all put a strain on people’s ability to achieve better life outcomes. And when people face hardship and disappointment, there is a natural tendency to lash out at the political system.
Freedom of expression through criticism and debate is healthy and essential in any democracy. It includes the rights of the people to call into question the legitimacy of institutions, particularly when they fail to prioritize the interests and well-being of the people and nation. Although institutions and processes matter, the key to Ghana’s democracy, however, is its people, and their commitment to a system of government which, despite its weaknesses, has by and large served them well since the return to multi-party democracy.
As data from around the world demonstrate, democracy’s record on economic growth, the rule of law and the respect for human rights, is much better than its alternatives, even if many Ghanaians today may be too young to remember military rule.
To ensure that Ghana’s democracy can continue ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in their country, all Ghanaians have to play their part this Saturday and in the days that follow, to ensure the elections are as clean, transparent and fair as possible.
Candidates and their supporters must eschew divisive and incendiary language, disinformation, hate speech and violence. The authorities must protect freedom of the press and freedom of peaceful assembly.
Leaders on all sides must also commit to accept the outcome of the vote, concede defeat and facilitate a peaceful transition of power. Ghana has a chance to show how democrats ought to behave at a time when many leaders are not equal to the task.
“At the end of the day” Kofi Annan once said, “what matters is not so much which candidate or which party wins an election, as long as the country wins.”