Ghanaians still prefer democracy despite governance gaps – says CDD’s Mavis Dome

Ghanaians continue to show strong support for democratic governance, even as dissatisfaction with the system’s performance grows, according to findings from the latest Afrobarometer Round 10 survey conducted in August 2024.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (29 April), Mavis Zupork Dome, a Research Analyst at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), said that although citizens are critical of how democracy works in practice, they overwhelmingly reject authoritarian alternatives.

“Citizens still have strong support for democracy as a preferred form of governance for the country. The majority reject other alternatives such as military rule, one-man rule, or one-party rule,” Mavis stated, summarising key results from the Afrobarometer survey.

The data shows that 73% of Ghanaians say democracy is preferable to any other form of government. However, only 49% say they are satisfied with how democracy is currently working in Ghana. The apparent contradiction, according to Mavis, stems from widespread concerns over impunity, lack of accountability, and weakened rule of law.

“About 73% said officials who commit crimes go unpunished. Sixty-three percent think judges and magistrates prioritise political influence over laws, and 44% said the president often ignores court rulings,” she said. “These perceptions create disillusionment, but Ghanaians still value their freedoms and their ability to choose leaders.”

Political analyst Joshua Zaato, who also joined the discussion, emphasised that for democracy to thrive, it must deliver tangible results.

“Democracy should not just be normative; it must be empirical. Citizens need to see a causal link between democratic governance and improved life conditions—like jobs, education, healthcare, and infrastructure,” he explained.

Zaato described the recurring voter apathy observed in Ghanaian elections as a form of protest rather than rejection of democracy itself.

“When people don’t vote, they’re expressing disappointment in leadership. But the fact that 65% still strongly oppose abolishing elections shows they’re not ready to give up on democratic systems.”

Despite growing frustration, the survey also found that Ghanaians are still committed to democratic values. Over 70% want opposition parties to hold the government accountable, and 79% support parliamentary oversight of presidential actions.

Mavis echoed these findings, adding, “Ghanaians still hold strong to their aspirations—multi-party elections, accountable leadership, and democratic freedoms. But satisfaction is dropping. That should be a wake-up call.”

Zaato concluded that politicians must pay attention to these surveys, warning that electoral defeat is the ultimate consequence of ignoring citizens’ demands. “The only thing politicians fear is to lose a re-election. That’s when they start listening.”

The Afrobarometer survey, conducted in 42 countries, continues to track public sentiment across key themes including governance, the economy, climate change, and democratic norms.

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