In 2000, Ghana stood at a democratic crossroads. As the nation prepared for a historic election, scepticism loomed over whether then-outgoing President Jerry John Rawlings would peacefully hand over power. His eventual handover of power, peaceful and constitutional, surprised many and marked a crucial moment of affirmation for Ghana’s fledgling democracy.
Rawlings’ legacy was complex, but he respected the rule of law then. He knew that any refusal to step down would undermine the very legitimacy of the 1992 Constitution. His decision reassured a sceptical public that Ghana’s institutions could work. Further efforts, such as the National Reconciliation Commission, were set up by J. A Kuffuour acknowledged the painful past, from extrajudicial actions of the 1980s to the injustices leading up to constitutional rule, and offered a path toward national healing.
But over the years, Ghana’s democracy has hardened into something more transactional and volatile. The 2008 elections introduced a level of political aggression previously unseen. Threats, intimidation, and violence slowly began to taint what should have been civic expression. The democratic process started to shift from ideological contest to economic investment.
Today, elections have become deeply monetised. Campaigns require massive funding, and party financiers often view their support as an investment rather than a civic duty. This reality turns political power into a revolving door of economic opportunity for those who can afford to buy influence. When a party is in opposition, its backers itch to return, not necessarily to serve, but to recover. The state becomes a tool for payback and private gain.
The cost is high, not just in cedis, but in the erosion of public trust and institutional credibility. The 2024 elections further exposed the cracks. Political violence escalated. What was branded as a national reset increasingly looked like retribution. Rather than stabilising the economy or strengthening governance, the transition became an opportunity to cleanse the system of perceived enemies and replace them with loyalists.
The most alarming development has come in the realm of judicial independence. The recent suspension of the Chief Justice, executed through constitutional Article 146, without transparent due process, raises serious concerns. While Article 146 allows for the removal of a justice under certain conditions, bypassing due process, particularly Article 296, raises serious alarms. The public remains dark about the petition’s content, yet the country’s top judicial officer has already been sidelined. This pattern is familiar: suspend now, investigate later, and rarely reinstate. Such moves are not mere politics; they chip away at the foundational principles of democracy.
When the executive overreaches into the judiciary, the balance of power tilts dangerously. The Constitution must be more than a tool of convenience. Its strength lies not in selective interpretation, but in consistent application. Any attempt to weaken its authority, even under the guise of legality, sets a precedent that future governments will not hesitate to exploit.
Ghanaians must pay attention. Democracy does not decay overnight; it erodes quietly, decision by decision, suspension by suspension. If left unchallenged, we risk trading democratic rule for political dominance cloaked in constitutional language.
This is a moment that calls for vigilance. Civic leaders, the media, and ordinary citizens should insist that power be exercised with restraint and accountability. Ghana’s democratic promise was not inherited; it was built and is ours to defend. The time has come for Ghanaians to speak out regardless of political affiliation. Our democracy is not self-sustaining. It relies on citizens, civil society, and principled leaders to defend its principles. If we remain silent while discretionary powers are abused, we risk normalising authoritarianism under the cloak of legality.
Ghana’s democratic promise was hard-won. We must not let it unravel.
Isaac Ofori
Social Activist and Human Rights Advocate
[email protected]
