I set out to buy ‘waakye’ for the family on the Independence Day which had been declared a national holiday.
Around the Kotei Junction in Kumasi, I saw a contrasting image of someone waving the flag of Ghana, perhaps, to reflect, review and reset Ghana, that was the theme of the 68th Independence Day.
Apparently, the guy waving the flag was a mate of a ‘Trotro’ vehicle which had three striking stickers of the image of the Burkinabe’s Head of State, Ibrahim Toare (IB). Could it be that the driver or the car owner was a fan of IB and that the mate was a patriotic citizen of Ghana expressing his admiration for his mother Ghana? Car mates in Ghana usually would not have the courage and permission to stick images of their idols on a car that does not belong to them.
This scenery opened the conversation of the popularity of the Burkinabe’s leader among the youth in Ghana.
The numbers from Ghana’s recent general elections raise a thought-provoking question about the state of voter engagement in the country.
Over 7 million registered voters chose not to participate in the last election, signaling a significant decline in voter turnout.
Adding to the concern, more than 2 million voters who supported the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2020 opted out of voting entirely in the 2024 election.
Voter apathy was manifested heavily in the Ashanti Region, the acclaimed stronghold of the NPP, where close to half a million voters did not cast their votes. This shift in voter behaviour suggests a growing apathy or dissatisfaction among the electorate.
Interestingly, the combined votes secured by President Mahama and Vice President Bawumia in the latest election amounted to about 11.5 million from a voter register of 18.7 million.
Comparatively, in the 2020 elections, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Dramani Mahama together garnered close to 13 million votes (12,943,769) out of a total of 17.3 million registered voters.
Despite an increase in the voter register by 10.25%, from 17.3 million in 2020 to over 18.7 million in the latest election, the turnout dropped, suggesting a disengagement trend.
This paradox, more registered voters but fewer participants, raises concerns about whether Ghanaians are becoming disenchanted with the electoral process and democracy itself.
Another intriguing paradox is the enthusiastic reception by Ghanaian youth for Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore (IB), during the inauguration of President Mahama as the 9th President of Ghana’s fourth republic.
Why did he receive the loudest applause?
Responding to this question, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Christian Service University, Dr. Stephen Banahene, said, ‘The youth were applauding leadership, not managers.’
Of course, many young Africans resonate with leaders who challenge perceived neo-colonial structures, regardless of their governance model. Former President J.J. Rawlings charmed the people of Ghana with his charisma and positive defiance of the status quo during his military regime.
Many Ghanaians cheered, ‘Let the blood flow, and in the process eight (8) army generals, including General Kutu Acheampong and General Akwasi Afrifa, were executed.
Military leaders frequently project a sense of decisiveness and strength attributes that may attract a younger generation disenchanted with the sluggishness of democratic procedures.
Perhaps, the Burkinabe president ‘IB’ embodies the traits of a bold and action-orientated leader, which some Ghanaians admire despite their commitment to democracy.
Ghana is often hailed as a beacon of democracy in West Africa and Africa at large. The 7th of January 2025 marked yet another peaceful transition of power.
The event demonstrated steadfast commitment to constitutional governance and reverence for democratic values.
Both Ghana and Burkina Faso face significant challenges, including unemployment, security threats, and economic instability.
The heavily publicised Burkinabe president’s leadership in addressing these issues, especially in the realm of agriculture and health, may have resonated with Ghanaian youth who yearn for pragmatic solutions. It was widely reported that “IB’ declined a fleet of Land Cruisers and allocated them to doctors nationwide, asserting that the doctors would require those vehicles more than he would.
Though this warm reception highlights regional unity and youthful exuberance, it also invites a reflection on Ghana’s democratic trajectory in the face of voter apathy in the last election. Could it be that the admiration for a military leader on a Constitutional Day suggests underlying frustrations with Ghana’s democratic institutions?
According to a senior lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University, ‘Alhaji’ Ishaq Kyei Brobbey, ‘this incident serves as a reminder that democracy’s strength lies not only in its institutions but also in its ability to deliver tangible benefits to citizens.’
He emphasised that as the youth’s enthusiasm reveals, democracy must constantly prove its value in improving lives.
As Ghana continues to champion democracy in the region, the flamboyant appearance of Captain IB and his endorsement by the Ghanaian youth and perhaps the elderly, offers a crucial lesson for a critical review.
Ghana has made a remarkable transition. The one from military regime to constitutional governance. We must insist that the principles of constitutional governance must be complemented by policies that address the immediate needs and aspirations of the people, especially the youth.
Only then can democracy remain a robust and unifying force in Ghana and beyond.
Source: www.kumasimail.com / Kwame Adinkra
