Governance knowledgeable Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako has issued a stark warning that Ghana’s democracy faces growing threats not from coups and violent insurrections, however from rising public apathy fueled by financial hardship, unemployment, corruption and unmet expectations.
Talking at a public discussion board hosted by Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences In regards to the theme “Democracy with out Dividends: Why Citizen Apathy Threatens the Way forward for Ghana’s Democracy” Antwi-Boasiako argued that democracy loses its energy when individuals now not imagine that democracy will enhance their lives.
“Democracy doesn’t instantly collapse as a result of a coup d’état or a well-liked rebellion. In lots of circumstances, it collapses quietly as a result of public apathy,” he informed contributors at an occasion on June 3.
In response to him, Ghana is in a contradictory place. Whereas internationally acknowledged as one among Africa’s democratic success tales, many voters are more and more questioning whether or not democratic governance is delivering significant advantages.
Antwi-Boasiako mentioned democracy shouldn’t be measured solely by the conduct of elections, the existence of establishments and constitutional governance.
Fairly, he mentioned, democracy is a promise that individuals could have a voice, leaders will stay accountable, alternatives might be distributed pretty, and residing circumstances will enhance over time.
“The individuals are not ripping off elections,” he identified. “They expertise penalties.”
These outcomes embrace entry to jobs, reasonably priced meals, high quality well being care, dependable infrastructure, high quality training, and a good justice system, he defined.
“When these outcomes fail, democracy begins to lose that means,” he warned.
Rising dissatisfaction amongst younger individuals
Primarily based on Afrobarometer findings and the World Financial institution’s 2025 Ghana Financial Replace, governance consultants paint an alarming image of rising financial dissatisfaction amongst younger individuals.
He mentioned the nationwide unemployment fee was between 19 and 20 %, and in line with figures referenced throughout Might Day celebrations in 2026, youth unemployment was estimated to be near 30 %, reaching a peak of 34 %.
He additional identified that almost all of younger Ghanaians imagine that the financial scenario is poor and worsening.
He mentioned this actuality has elevated the will amongst many younger individuals to go away the nation searching for higher alternatives overseas.
He pointed to stories of elevated immigration and referred to an announcement by the Ghanaian Ministry of Overseas Affairs indicating that dozens of Ghanaians have died in fight within the Russian-Ukrainian battle after being conscripted into navy service overseas.
“That is not a democratic dividend,” he mentioned. “It’s financial despair with lethal penalties.”
A good portion of the lecture centered on corruption and its impression on public belief in governance.
Antwi Boasiako questioned the administration of main public initiatives, together with considerations raised in regards to the stalled Pwalugu multipurpose dam mission and components of the Agenda 111 hospital contract.
He known as on public officers to clarify how mobilization funds might be made to contractors who abandon initiatives with out correct safeguards.
“If there was no upfront assure, why aren’t Ghanaian officers held accountable?” he requested.
He cited Transparency Worldwide’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, noting that Ghana scored 43 factors out of 100, rating it 76th on the planet.
He argued that corruption goes past financial losses and immediately impacts individuals’s entry to alternative.
“Democracy turns into unique when individuals imagine that success relies on figuring out somebody or paying bribes,” he says.
Mr. Antwi-Boasiako expressed concern, saying there was a rising perception among the many public that altering governments would convey little significant change.
He mentioned many citizens throughout the nation are satisfied that politicians solely have interaction with them throughout elections and disappear as soon as they’re in energy.
He warned that such sentiments are greater than peculiar complaints.
“These are warning indicators,” he confused.
Governance consultants mentioned citizen apathy may weaken accountability, scale back citizen participation, encourage vote shopping for, and in the end enhance public acceptance of authoritarian alternate options.
He cited the instance of Afrobarometer findings and pointed to the general public admiration some Ghanaians have proven for navy leaders in neighboring international locations as proof of a worrying change in angle.
“As soon as apathy units in, individuals will now not defend democracy,” he warned.
Classes from abroad
Antwi Boasiako drew parallels between Ghana’s present improvement and experiences elsewhere on the planet.
He touched on the Arab Spring uprisings, the political disaster in Sri Lanka, and the instability of democracies in a number of Latin American international locations, arguing that financial hardship, corruption, inequality, and declining belief in establishments have traditionally undermined democratic establishments.
“The lesson is evident,” he mentioned. “If democracy does not work, individuals will retreat or ultimately revolt.”
He warned that lots of the warning indicators seen in these international locations had been additionally rising in Ghana, together with youth disillusionment, perceptions of corruption, financial frustration, inequality and declining belief in establishments.
5 Suggestions to Regain Your Confidence
To strengthen Ghana’s democracy and restore public belief, Antwi Boasiako has proposed 5 main reforms.
1. Deal with youth unemployment as a nationwide emergency.
He known as for pressing measures to align training with labor market wants, develop alternatives in agribusiness and know-how, and create sustainable non-public sector jobs.
He welcomed initiatives comparable to the federal government’s proposed AI middle and digital abilities programme, however confused implementation was key.
2. Fight corruption with tangible penalties
Governance consultants known as on authorities to prosecute corrupt officers, implement sanctions, defend whistleblowers, and speed up digital governance reforms.
He highlighted Estonia’s digital governance mannequin for example that Ghana can emulate to extend transparency and scale back alternatives for corruption.
He additionally advocated limits on massive money transactions and widespread use of digital cost techniques to enhance monetary traceability and accountability.
3. Deepening decentralization
Mr. Antwi-Boasiako known as for better fiscal and administrative autonomy for native governments and known as for the implementation of the suggestions of the Constitutional Assessment Fee.
He argued that communities ought to profit immediately from the assets generated inside their areas.
4. Institutionalization of citizen participation
Governance consultants advised participatory budgeting, common city corridor conferences, citizen assemblies, and a everlasting platform for public participation in governance.
5. Ship measurable outcomes shortly
In response to him, democracy good points legitimacy when residents can see tangible enhancements of their each day lives.
He cited Rwanda’s emphasis on efficiency monitoring and repair supply for example of how the federal government maintains public belief.
Essential questions for Ghana
Mr. Antwi-Boasiako concluded his speech by highlighting the crucial points dealing with the way forward for Ghana’s democracy:
“Will the individuals defend Ghana’s democracy if they can’t profit from it?”
He insisted that individuals stand for techniques that work for them, and warned that continued failure to supply financial alternative, high quality public companies and accountable management may deepen disillusionment.
“Ghana is at a crossroads,” he mentioned. “We will both proceed with the democracy that exists however is just not delivering outcomes, or we will construct a democracy that works for everybody and encourages public engagement.”
He ended with a warning message, attracting the viewers’s continued consideration.
“If democracy doesn’t profit peculiar Ghanaians, then peculiar Ghanaians is not going to defend democracy. And when individuals cease defending democracy, historical past exhibits us precisely what occurs subsequent.”
