KEY POINTS
- Speaker Alban Bagbin criticized Ghana’s democracy for not meeting public expectations after 30 years of stability.
- He blamed the 1992 Constitution for focusing on stability over development.
- Bagbin warned of rising disillusionment with democracy, citing growing support for military interventions.
Alban Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, spoke out against Ghana’s democracy, saying it has not lived up to the expectations of Ghanaians after over 30 years of political stability.
During his 2024 University of Ghana (UG) Alumni Lecture on Thursday, Bagbin pointed out that the results of democracy are not visible in the significant enhancement of citizens’ lives. He wondered if democracy has effectively served the interests of the people.
Challenges rooted in the 1992 constitution
Bagbin attributed the problem to the 1992 Constitution, which, he claimed, focused more on obtaining political stability than on development.
“While we have succeeded in ensuring political stability, we must now shift our focus to development,” he said.
Bagbin cautioned that numerous Ghanaians and Africans no longer trust in democracy. Citing reports from The Economist and Afrobarometer, he said this disillusionment has led to increased support for military interventions across the continent.
“We must take steps to reform our democracy to counter these growing sentiments,” Bagbin stressed.
The UG Alumni Association and the University of Ghana organized the 36th edition of the annual Alumni Lecture, which featured notable figures, including former Vice-Chancellors Emeritus Professors Ivan Addae-Mensah and Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, and international diplomat Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas.
This year’s lecture, themed “30 Years of Parliamentary Democracy: The Journey So Far,” highlighted the evolution of Ghana’s Parliament and the challenges facing its democratic system.
Addressing growing disillusionment and polarization
According to a report by Graphic Online, Baghin identified issues such as the absolute power of the executive and the winner-takes-all political system. He further emphasized that the 1992 constitution has allocated too much authority in the hands of the executive, making the legislature and judiciary weaker in comparison.
The Speaker also challenged the “winner-takes-all” system. He noted that this system excludes other parties from governance and creates resentful politics. He proposed that power-sharing mechanisms should be introduced into the constitution to prevent political polarization.
“Our democracy is unbalanced, with the executive wielding overwhelming power. We need reforms to strengthen the other branches of government and foster inclusivity,” Bagbin added.
