Credit: Kekeli K. Blamey
President John Dramani Mahama has called for the institutionalisation of democracy through legally binding frameworks that protect civic freedoms and ensure inclusive governance across the African continent.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 13th African Union (AU) High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights, Governance, Peace and Security at the Accra International Conference Centre, President Mahama underscored the need for African governments to move beyond rhetoric and commit to actionable reforms that reinforce democratic values.
“Let this not be another declaration left on paper. Let it be a living mandate for action,” he stated, urging AU member states to adopt enforceable mechanisms that guarantee the right to organise, protest, and participate in national governance processes.
President Mahama emphasised that genuine democracy cannot coexist with repression or fear, noting that the erosion of civil liberties undermines the credibility and legitimacy of governance.
“We must preserve the freedom of the press. The voices of the youth, women, and marginalised groups must be heard and protected. The legitimacy of our governments depends on the inclusion of all our people, not just a privileged few,” he said.
He further highlighted the increasing levels of civic disengagement in many African countries, attributing it not to apathy but to systemic exclusion, mistrust, and governance failures. According to him, such disengagement reflects deeper structural issues that must be addressed if democratic governance is to be strengthened and sustained.
“Widespread civic disengagement is a symptom of exclusion, not indifference,” he noted. “It is a call for introspection and urgent reform.”
President Mahama also advocated for the prioritisation of political education as a foundational element of nation-building, stressing that informed citizen participation is essential to the growth and resilience of democratic systems.
The AU High-Level Dialogue, which brings together policymakers, civil society actors, scholars, and international partners, is aimed at fostering collective strategies to address challenges related to governance, peace, and human rights across the continent.
Mahama’s remarks set the tone for what is expected to be a robust engagement on advancing democratic consolidation in Africa through inclusive dialogue, institutional accountability, and respect for fundamental freedoms.
