Collective responsibility needed for Ghana’s democratic consolidation – Dr Antwi-Danso
Ghana requires the collective responsibility of politicians, the public, media and civil society to consolidate its democracy.
Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, Senior Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy at the University of Ghana made the observation at the second edition of the Think Africa forum on the theme: “The Unfinished Africa Agenda-The Ghana Response” in Accra on Tuesday.
He said Democracy involved constitutionalism, institutionalism, Rule of law, participation, transparency, Change and continuity.
Dr Antwi-Danso, who was speaking on the topic: “Is Ghana a Democratic Nation-State”, said the media has neglected their role in educating the citizenry.
“Democracy is a process and not an event, neither is it a political chess for politicians to play,” he noted.
Dr Antwi-Danso said Democracy is not a political marking scoring contest for politician to manipulate the people.
He called on the media to inform the citizenry on the progress and process of democracy and governance of the country.
Mr Joseph Cleland, Ghana’s former Ambassador to France, speaking on the topic: “Emerging roles and challenges of African’s Ex- President” said there were no platforms for ex-President to share their experience with other politicians for national development.
He said there were no funds and logistics for ex-President to be able to meaningfully impact on the country.
He noted that even though some ex-President embarked on establishing foundations and charity, they needed support to accomplish the goal.
Mr Cleland praised the two living former Presidents of Ghana, President John Agyekum Kufuor and President John Jerry Rawlings for their contribution towards the development of the country.
Mr Victor Moffatt, Convener of the forum, noted that a well-informed citizenry was an important non-negotiable asset in the building of the society and that would help identity and harness the resources for the sustained development of Ghana and Africa as a whole.
He said the forum finds it expedient to encourage and challenge Ghanaians and Africans with credible, consistence and edifying information on the rediscovery of the African agenda and to give comprehensible meaning to the unfinished Agenda.
The forum also launched the “Think Africa Forum Awards” to commence next year.
Source: GNA