Experts Express Concern About Challenges Facing Democratic Governance

A Research Fellow at the Institute for Democratic Governance, IDEG, Dr Kwesi Jonah says democracy on the continent is on the retreat. 

He said though countries, like Ghana and Nigeria are doing well, the rest need to back up. 

Commenting on the recent crises in Mali, Guinea Bissau and DR Congo on GBC's Current Affairs Programme, “Talking Point,” Dr Jonah said the future of democracy in Africa is a mixed one. 

There is therefore the need for institutions on the continent to put their act together.

The Head of Research and Programs at the Centre for Democratic Development, Dr Franklin Oduro said some leaders are not subscribing to the ideals and tenets of democratic governance hence the many challenges facing the continent. 

He said it is important to give citizens the room to make decisions on whom to govern them without bias.

For his part a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science of the University of Ghana, Dr Seidu  Alidu, said adapting the Western democracy into the African concept is causing a lot of problems. 

He said unlike decision making in Africa which is consensus building that of the west is majoritarianism. 

There is therefore the need to critically examine the western concept and not copy it whole sale.

GBC