President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that democracy in West Africa will continue to face serious threats if it fails to deliver tangible opportunities and improved living conditions for citizens.
Speaking at a recent Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, President Mahama said public support for democratic governance is weakening, as many people increasingly appear drawn to military-led regimes that promise order and economic relief.
Reflecting on his recent inauguration, the President recounted an observation that, he said, should concern democratic leaders across the region.
“For those who attended my inauguration, if you were not at the Black Star Square and were listening only to the announcements of the presidents coming up to greet me, you would have noticed that the loudest applause was for countries that have overthrown democracy and are under military dictatorship,” he said.
According to President Mahama, the reaction from the crowd was a troubling signal that citizens may be losing faith in democratic systems that have failed to improve their lives.
“That should give us pause for thought. It should make us think and ask ourselves why democracies die,” he noted.
He stressed that democracy does not sustain itself automatically and requires deliberate effort, accountability and results-oriented leadership.
“Democracy will not survive by itself if we do not work for it,” President Mahama said.
Quoting former Malian leader Omar Touré, he underscored the importance of governance systems delivering real benefits to the people.
“Whatever system of government you have autocracy, democracy, theocracy if it does not deliver opportunities and prosperity to the people, it will not survive,” he added.
President Mahama said the future of democracy in the ECOWAS sub-region depends on leaders addressing economic hardship, youth unemployment and inequality, which he described as key drivers of political instability and public disillusionment.
His comments come amid growing concerns about democratic backsliding in West Africa, following a series of military takeovers and prolonged transitions in parts of the region.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
