Democracy is alien to our culture – Eric Abogye reflects on Ghana’s post-independence journey

Eric Abogye, a former Director at the Audit Service, Ashanti Region, has sparked debate after asserting that democracy does not align with Ghana’s cultural foundation.

Speaking in a reflective discussion on Ghana’s political and economic history on Kessben TV’s Digest, Mr. Abogye noted that while Ghanaians were filled with joy at the attainment of independence, the country’s developmental trajectory took a different turn over the years.

According to him, Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, initiated numerous projects aimed at advancing the nation and strengthening its economic base. He emphasized that these industrialisation efforts were designed to position Ghana as a self-reliant economy.

However, he argued that at a certain point, the strength of the economy could no longer sustain the pace of industrial development, leading to increased dependence rather than true economic independence.

Mr. Abogye further stated that Ghana’s adoption of democratic governance may not fully reflect the nation’s traditional cultural systems, describing democracy as “alien to our culture.”

His remarks have since ignited conversations among political analysts and citizens, with some agreeing that Ghana’s governance model requires contextual reforms, while others insist that democracy remains the best path toward accountability and national development.

The comments add to ongoing national discussions about Ghana’s 69th independence anniversary, governance, economic sustainability, and the relevance of Ghana’s political system in addressing contemporary challenges.