Ghana - A Democratic Beacon in Turbulent Waters
December 7th, 2024 - Just another Saturday in Accra:
It's 6 AM in Ghana's capital. The sun hasn't fully risen, but across the country, election officials are already setting up polling stations. By the time most people have their morning tea, voters are forming orderly queues - some chatting quietly, others checking their phones, all carrying that quiet dignity that comes with exercising the most fundamental right in a democracy.
By noon, something remarkable happens. Despite economic hardships, despite frustrations with rising costs, despite the very real anger many feel toward the government, 60.9% of eligible Ghanaians show up to vote. Not to protest. Not to throw stones. Not to call for military intervention. To vote.
When the results come in showing opposition candidate John Mahama had won decisively, something even more remarkable happens: Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the losing candidate, picks up his phone and calls Mahama to concede. No drama. No claims of rigging. Just a phone call between two democrats.
This is Ghana's story. But it's not the story being told across much of West Africa. While West Africa grapples with a "coup epidemic," Ghana stands tall as a democratic success story. Here's why Ghana's democracy deserves celebration:
In a region where military takeovers dominate headlines, Ghana's boring, predictable, peaceful elections are actually revolutionary.
The "COUP BELT" Reality:
Ghana's Democratic Record (1992-2024):
So what makes Ghana different?
When Ghanaians went to vote in December 2024, their country was in the middle of its worst economic crisis in decades. Inflation had hit 54% just two years earlier. The currency had lost 70% of its value over eight years. Ghana had defaulted on its debt and was under an IMF bailout program.
These are exactly the conditions that have triggered military coups elsewhere. Economic mismanagement, public frustration, loss of confidence in civilian leadership - this is the playbook that juntas across the region have used to justify seizing power.
Yet Ghanaians chose a different path. They voted. They chose a new president. They gave him a parliamentary majority. They said, in effect: "We'll fix this ourselves, through democracy, thank you very much.
Why do Ghanaians queue up to vote while their neighbors either celebrate coups or stay home in apathy?
The answer isn't what you might think. It's not because Ghana is smaller (Nigeria's state elections focus on one state at a time). It's not because Ghana is richer (Ghana just went through its worst economic crisis in a generation). It's not because Ghana doesn't have problems (youth unemployment, corruption, and infrastructure gaps are real issues).
The difference is something more fundamental:
Ghana has built a political culture where democracy is the only legitimate way to change government. Ghana's democracy works not because it's perfect, but because Ghanaians have collectively agreed that it's perfectible.
Consider this: When Ghanaians got frustrated with illegal mining destroying their rivers, they organized protests and civil society campaigns. When they got angry about economic mismanagement, they voted out the ruling party. When they disagreed with Supreme Court decisions, they criticized them in the press and through civil society - not through military intervention.
Lessons from the Exception
What can Ghana's neighbors learn from this? The lessons aren't complicated, but they're not easy either:
Strong institutions matter more than strong men. Ghana's Electoral Commission, despite criticism, conducts credible elections. Its courts, despite partisanship concerns, still function. Its press, ranked 3rd freest in Africa, provides a crucial check on power.
Political culture is everything. When Ghana's founders decided in 1992 to return to democracy, they made a collective commitment that has outlasted individual leaders. No Ghanaian politician today would dare suggest that military rule is an acceptable alternative to election defeat.
Patience pays off. Ghana's democracy wasn't built overnight. There were bumpy moments - the 2012 election went to court, there have been allegations of bias, there are ongoing challenges. But Ghanaians kept working at it rather than giving up on it.
Economic problems have democratic solutions. Yes, Ghana has serious economic challenges. But the solution isn't generals promising to fix everything - it's competitive elections, policy debates, and accountable leadership.
Epilogue: The Story Continues
As John Mahama was sworn in as Ghana's President for the second time in January 2025, something historic happened: Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang became Ghana's first female Vice President. Not because of a decree from above, but because Ghanaians voted for it.
That moment captures something essential about Ghana's democratic story: it's not just about the absence of coups or the presence of elections. It's about progress. It's about a country that continues to expand the boundaries of what's possible, one vote at a time.
While their neighbors grapple with military rule and democratic backsliding, Ghanaians are writing a different story - one where democracy isn't just about surviving, but about thriving.
And in a region that desperately needs success stories, Ghana's tale of democratic resilience offers something precious: hope.
As Kwame Nkrumah once said: "It is far better to be free to govern or misgovern yourself than to be governed by anybody else." Today, Ghana's democracy - imperfect but improving, challenged but resilient - proves the wisdom of those words every single day.
The story continues...
About Les Africanistes: We provide market intelligence and business insights for companies operating across African markets, combining local expertise with global investment perspectives. If you are seeking more personalised insights or new partners in Africa.
Book a Consultation: https://lesafricanistes.com/#book-consultation
For more regular insights, subscribe to our Newsletter: https://lesafricanistes.com/#subscribe
Customer Service & Operations Professional | Remote Team Leader | Multilingual (French & English) | CRM & Data Analysis Expert
1moThis is a powerful reminder that stability is a strategy. In a region where volatility often grabs headlines, Ghana’s quiet commitment to democratic process is a radical act. “Boring” elections aren’t a flaw—they’re a feature of mature governance. Nkrumah’s legacy lives not just in speeches, but in systems that work.