What are the key challenges to the promotion of democracy and political participation in Ghana? This paper from the Africa Governance, Monitoring and Advocacy Project (AfriMAP) reviews the status of institutional reforms and the role of the media, civil society and citizens in the country’s movement towards full democracy. While much progress has been made since the return to civilian rule in 1993, there is a need to address outstanding issues, including an incomplete reform processes, inefficiency, lack of funding and continued non-democratic practices.
Ghana has developed numerous programmes to promote citizen participation in politics. Citizens’ rights are fully protected by the Constitution and citizen participation is freely available throughout the political system. However, obstacles to participation still remain and many citizens still can not utilise the opportunities and institutions of participation.
The main achievements and outstanding issues in Ghana’s democratisation process are as follows:
- Electoral democracy: Good electoral management and a political party code of conduct have been established. Elections have been fair. However, there are complaints of Electoral Commission (EC) bias towards the government, minority party under-representation, and a lack of democratic practices within political parties.
- Media, civil society and oversight institutions: The media is generally free and civil society is active. Oversight institutions hold the government accountable despite lacking adequate resources. Critics complain of media intimidation, lack of quality reporting outside cities, and inadequate media access for all political parties. Government consultation and information sharing is still weak.
- Citizenship and Discrimination: The citizenship rights process is generally fair. The Government has established an affirmative action policy although it has been poorly implemented. Ctizens in the poorer north still feel excluded from national politics.
- Parliament: Performance, political balance and stability have improved. Many members are well-educated and capable. Ongoing issues include inadequate funding, high member turnover, absenteeism, lateness and the need for more capable, experienced legislators.
- Regional and Local Government: Decentralisation has created district assemblies, regional coordinating councils and devolved authorities. In an effort to de-politicise local processes, the government has barred political parties from participation in district elections, which is seen by many as undemocratic. The decentralisation process remains incoherent and incomplete, and district-level consultation with citizens is non-existent or ineffective.
- Traditional Authority: Whilst chieftaincy is constitutionally protected, chiefs are excluded from politics. This is seen by some as undemocratic. Women chiefs are not permitted and contentious land disputes among chiefs occur frequently.
- Financial institutions and foreign governments: Donor aid administration has improved with a multi-donor budgetary support system but there is a large gap between aid commitments and disbursements. Development policies are decided with little consultation with stakeholders. The multi-donor system does not include all donors.
The following recommendations would help address deficiencies in Ghana’s otherwise laudable reform efforts:
- Develop enforcement mechanisms for the political party code of conduct
- Adopt right-to-information legislation
- Improve citizen participation in rural areas
- Develop internal disciplinary measures for Parliament and increase funding
- Initiate a constitutional amendment to allow district-level political party participation
- Increase civil society involvement in the monitoring and evaluation of foreign loans and development grants.
