By Ellen Agbavor
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nyansa Institute for Strategic Dialogue, NISD, Mr. Samuel Koranteng Adjei, says Ghana’s democratic record is strong on process, but weak on delivery.
Speaking in an interview after the institute’s second dialogue series in Accra, Mr. Koranteng Adjei noted that Ghana continues to be praised abroad as a beacon of democracy. The country has held nine successive elections, managed peaceful alternation of power, and used courts, not soldiers or street power, to settle disputes. For many in the region, he said, that is a model to copy.
“We have the appellation,” the CEO said. “But the truth is, our democracy is not perfect. And that is okay, if we are honest about it.”
He drew a line between procedure and substance. Procedurally, Ghanaians can vote for a President and MPs, and challenge results in court. Substantively, many citizens are not seeing the benefits. Unemployment is high, and gaps remain in education and healthcare.
“We expect democracy to provide jobs,” Mr. Koranteng Adjei said. “We expect it to fix education. We are not enjoying all of those benefits. That tells us we have not reached.”
Compared to neighbors to the north, east, and west, Ghana is better off. Yet insecurity from jihadist threats in the north makes the gap urgent. According to him, when the state does not deliver services or opportunity, confidence in democracy weakens.
The dialogue focused on strengthening democracy in West Africa. Panelists identified policy accountability as a key recommendation.
“I totally agree with the panelists,” Mr. Koranteng Adjei said. “Democracy should pay dividends. It works two ways. I elect you, you work for me. You are supposed to account to me. But over time, we are not seeing that kind of accountability.”
He outlined few steps, that would help with accountability, leaders must report back, not just campaign, MPs and Ministers should publish regular updates on budgets, projects, and results in their constituencies.
Mr. Koranteng Adjei added that auditing outcomes, not only votes, Beyond enrollment numbers, government should publish data on completion, teachers, and infrastructure for policies like Free SHS.
He said there is the need make the Right to Information Act normal practice. Citizens, media, and Parliament should get answers without a fight, and waste flagged by the Auditor-General should lead to action.
“Ghana has already shown it can manage elections and accept court rulings,” he said. “The next step is to show that democracy delivers. We do not rely on soldiers. We go to our judicial system. Even when a party loses, they accept it and we move on, which is fantastic. Now we must showcase that same discipline in delivering for our people.”
“Until then,” the CEO added, “the beacon will shine, but many homes will still be waiting for light.”
The panelists also agreed that young people must have real opportunities to rise.
“Recently we revised our National Youth Policy, which is a good start, but it missed some critical points which would help bring out the talents of young people,” they said.
They called for concerted efforts to remove barriers that disadvantage youth.
“In some countries young people are running for president because the pathways have been created for them,” the panelists noted.
Panelist for the dialogue were Dr. John Osae Kwapong, Project Director, The Democracy Project; Theodora Williams Anti, Executive Director, Foundation for Security and Development in Africa; and Ransford Brobbey, Research Associate, IMANI Center for Policy and Education.