Ghana Facing Democratic Crisis As Public Discontent Soars, Afrobarometer Reveals

Ghana, once celebrated as a beacon of democracy in Africa, is now grappling with a stark shift in public sentiment.

According to the latest Afrobarometer report, a staggering 87% of Ghanaians—nearly nine in every ten—believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.

This alarming trend comes just 141 days before the December 2024 elections, where the nation will elect a new President and parliamentarians.

The report underscores a dramatic decline in satisfaction with democracy across Africa, with Ghana experiencing one of the most pronounced drops. In the 2011-2013 period, 74% of Ghanaians expressed satisfaction with their democracy.

Fast forward a decade, and this figure has plummeted to 51%, marking a 23 percentage point decline. This erosion of faith in democratic governance suggests a growing disillusionment among Ghanaians.

A generational divide is also evident in the Afrobarometer findings. While overall support for democracy remains relatively consistent between young and older citizens, the youth exhibit a greater tolerance for military rule.

This trend is particularly pronounced in Ghana, where the rejection of military intervention has dropped from 86% in 2011-2013 to 68% in 2021-2023. This indicates a significant shift in attitudes towards authoritarian governance among the younger population.

The report casts a critical eye on Ghana’s democratic processes, highlighting an increase in electoral violence and a worrying trend towards authoritarianism under President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The 2020 presidential elections, marred by violence resulting in eight fatalities, have tarnished the nation’s reputation for clean elections.

Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo’s administration is accused of media suppression and undermining institutional accountability, exacerbating the public’s growing disenchantment.

As Ghana approaches a pivotal election, the Afrobarometer report serves as a stark warning. The nation’s celebrated democratic credentials are under threat, with rising dissatisfaction and a troubling shift in attitudes towards governance.

For a country once hailed as a model of democratic stability in Africa, these findings suggest an urgent need for introspection and reform.