President Mahama to Youth: “Democracy is Your Inheritance, But Also Your Responsibility”
During the presentation of the Democracy Cup at the presidency by the Speaker of Parliament, President John Dramani Mahama delivered a stirring message to Ghana’s youth, emphasizing their crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s democratic future.
“So to our young people, I say democracy is your inheritance, but it’s also your responsibility. You must cherish it. You must nurture it, and when called upon, you must defend it with courage and conviction,” President Mahama declared while receiving the symbolic Democracy Cup from the Speaker of Parliament
The President’s remarks came during a ceremony that highlighted the innovative use of sports, particularly football, as a platform to engage young Ghanaians in democratic discourse. He praised the Speaker’s initiative, noting how “by linking democracy with sports, he has created an innovative platform that engages the energies of our youth, inspires our citizens and raises awareness about the centrality of democratic governance to Ghana’s peace stability and progress.”
President Mahama emphasized that Ghana’s democratic journey extends far beyond the ballot box. “Democracy is not merely about elections. It is about accountability. It is about inclusion. It is about fairness and justice. It is about creating a society where every Ghanaian can aspire and achieve regardless of their background,” he stated.
The President drew parallels between democracy and sports, explaining that “democracy, like sports, demands rules. It demands fairness, discipline and respect for one another. It teaches us that while competition is healthy, the ultimate goal is unity, progress and nation building.”
Accepting the Democracy Cup on behalf of all Ghanaians, President Mahama stressed that democratic governance requires continuous effort. “May this cup remind us daily that democracy is not an event but a living process, a process that we must all work together to protect and deepen for generations to come,” he concluded .
The ceremony, which marked the culmination of the Democracy Cup’s symbolic journey through key governance institutions, underscored the administration’s commitment to youth engagement and democratic education through innovative platforms that resonate with Ghana’s football-loving population.
Since 1992, Ghana has maintained its path of constitutional democracy, weathering challenges while making remarkable progress in peaceful transitions of power, protection of human rights, and expansion of civic freedoms.
