Ghana, according to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has the best democracy in the West African sub-region.
The president emphasized the Fourth Republic’s political achievements in reaching that judgment.
He mentioned, for example, the peaceful transition of power since 1992 and the use of the courts to resolve major electoral issues following presidential elections.
“In the history of the 4th Republic, we’ve had five presidents, with three peaceful handovers of power from the ruling party to the opposition.
“Even when there was debate over an election’s outcome, it was the Supreme Court, not the streets, that recognized it on two occasions. In President address on April 28 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the referendum that gave birth to the Fourth Republic, he added, “We are, possibly, the most stable democracy in West Africa.”
“There are no short-cuts for the success and prosperity of our country,” he said, emphasizing the importance of Ghanaians protecting the democracy that has been fostered over three decades. Hard labor, creativity, invention, a feeling of enterprise, and national unity are the only ways to achieve the rapid economic development that we all need and deserve.”
“The price of liberty is perpetual vigilance,” the President said, urging citizens to strengthen their faith in democracy and be vigilant.
“I say so because there are some who, for their own parochial and selfish interests, would like to see a return to the dark days of authoritarian rule, simply because they have no respect for the Ghanaian people and are either unwilling to subject themselves or their vision to open scrutiny by the Ghanaian people, or because they know they will be rejected by the Ghanaian people and seek a shortcut to office and power.” “Let us fortify our determination to oppose such individuals for the sake of our common welfare,” he urged.
