Ghana’s democracy not delivering full benefits – CDD senior program manager raises concern

Paul Mensah Aborampah, Senior Program Manager at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has called for urgent reforms to strengthen Ghana’s democracy, warning that although the country has made progress since independence in 1957, citizens are not fully enjoying the dividends of democratic governance.

Speaking on the state of governance and public trust on Kessben TV’s Digest, Mr. Aborampah noted that while Ghana has chalked significant milestones from 1957 to 2026, there remains a worrying disconnect between democratic ideals and the lived realities of citizens.

“It is a mixed feeling representing Ghana on international platforms,” he stated, questioning why a country blessed with abundant natural resources continues to struggle with inadequate social amenities.

According to him, democracy in Ghana is good in principle, but its benefits are not being felt equitably. He observed that public frustration is growing to the extent that some citizens are even expressing nostalgia for military regimes , a development he described as dangerous and rooted in selfish political interests.

Touching on justice delivery, Mr. Aborampah lamented perceived inequality before the law, arguing that in many instances, the wealthy appear to escape accountability while the poor bear the consequences.

He referenced survey findings indicating that about 68 percent of citizens lack trust in the judicial system.

While noting that perception studies such as Afrobarometer reflect public sentiment, he emphasized that such findings must not be ignored.

“Whenever citizens express mistrust in public institutions, it signals a deeper disconnect that must be addressed,” he stressed.

Mr. Aborampah further argued that democracy should be measured by clear indicators and tangible outcomes, not merely sentiments and political rhetoric. He urged Members of Parliament to remember that they represent the people, not just their political parties or parochial interests.

On development, he criticized persistent politicization and the discontinuation of projects initiated by previous administrations, describing it as a major setback to national progress.

“Every government implements projects based on its manifesto, but we must have a national development agenda that transcends party lines,” he said.

He also blamed mismanagement and the loss of development funds for Ghana’s slow infrastructural growth, calling for decentralization of development projects to ensure equitable distribution of resources.

Mr. Aborampah concluded that unless Ghana tackles partisan politics, greed, and selfishness in governance, the country risks stagnation despite its vast potential.

His remarks add to growing national conversations about strengthening institutions, restoring public trust, and building a more accountable and inclusive democratic system.