A recent democracy risk report by Afrobarometer has revealed a stark decline in public confidence in Ghana’s direction, with 87% of Ghanaians, or nearly 9 out of 10, expressing concerns about the country’s trajectory.
This comes just 141 days before the 2024 December polls, where citizens will elect a new President and parliamentarians.
The report highlights a significant drop in satisfaction with democracy in Ghana over the past decade. In 2011/2013, 74% of Ghanaians were satisfied with the state of democracy.
However, by 2021/2023, this figure had plummeted to 51%, marking a 23 percentage point decline. This trend reflects a broader decline in democratic satisfaction across Africa.
The report also points to generational disparities in attitudes towards democracy and military rule. It notes that while Africa’s youth generally support democracy, they are more open to military intervention than older citizens.
This trend is mirrored in Ghana, where acceptance of military rule has increased. In 2011/2013, 86% of Ghanaians rejected military rule, but this figure dropped to 68% by 2021/2023.
Afrobarometer’s findings underscore concerns about the integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes. The report notes that the country’s reputation for clean elections has been marred by increased violence, with eight fatalities during the 2020 presidential polls. It also criticizes President Nana Akufo-Addo for what it describes as heavy-handed tactics, including media suppression and undermining institutional accountability.