In a recent turn of events, 22% of Ghanaians have expressed a preference for military rule, a statistic that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political landscape. This data, emerging from a recent Afrobarometer survey, highlights a significant shift in public sentiment, signaling growing dissatisfaction with the current state of governance in Ghana.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, who is set to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general elections, has addressed this concerning trend. Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 64th Annual General Conference in Lagos, Mahama urged caution, stressing the importance of upholding democratic values in the face of rising discontent.
Mahama suggested that the alarming preference for military rule might be less about a desire to abandon democracy and more about frustration with specific governance failures. His observations align with the broader findings of the Afrobarometer survey, which painted a grim picture of public trust in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
The survey revealed that an overwhelming 83% of Ghanaians believe the country is on the wrong track, a sentiment likely fueled by widespread economic discontent. According to the survey, 85% of respondents rated the country’s economy as poor, while 72% described their personal living conditions as ranging from “fairly bad” to “bad.” Trust in key democratic institutions has also plummeted, with 55% of Ghanaians expressing a lack of confidence in the Parliament, and 53% in the presidency.
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Furthermore, the survey highlighted that 77% of Ghanaians feel the government is not doing enough to combat corruption, and 64% believe the administration is failing to improve the economy. These figures, Mahama argued, underscore a critical decline in trust within a nation once heralded as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
In his address, Mahama issued a stark warning to African leaders, emphasizing the urgent need to address the growing challenges that threaten democratic governance across the continent. He called for decisive action to restore faith in democratic institutions and to inspire hope in a better future for all citizens.
“Time is running out to make the most crucial decisions that will once again inspire hope in the future of our democratic governance,” Mahama cautioned. His message serves as a wake-up call, not only for Ghana but for all African nations grappling with similar governance issues.
As the 2024 elections approach, the challenge for Ghana’s political leaders will be to address the underlying causes of this discontent and to reaffirm the value of democratic principles in a country where faith in such ideals appears to be waning. The road ahead is uncertain, but the call for action is clear—Ghana must confront its democratic crisis head-on, or risk slipping further into disillusionment.
