President Akufo-Addo says democracy is on the decline in Africa, in particular in the West African sub-region.
The sub-region has witnessed an increasing number of coup d’etats, the latest being in Niger, where ECOWAS is contemplating military action.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Accra, President Akufo-Addo warned that if all do not rise against the development, more such coups will happen.
“Through a series of coup d’états and military interventions in government to justify democratic regression, it is in the interest of democratic growth that this development is reversed as soon as possible,” he said.
He called on the Commonwealth Parliament to support the ECOWAS and the African Union in their efforts to restore democracy and democratic institutions in the junta-led countries.
He further called on the parliament to join calls for the release of Nigerien president, Mohammed Bazoum, who has been held captive by the Nigerien junta.
“And we give maximum support to ECOWAS, the regional body of West Africa, and the African Union, the continental organization in their efforts to restore democratic institutions in the affected nations of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, and Gabon. Also in whatever dispositions we take to stem the tide of this unwelcome influence.
“Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, indeed the commonwealth itself should join ECOWAS and the African Union in demanding the immediate and unconditional release from unjustifiable detention of the democratically elected president of the republic of Niger, His Excellency Mohammed Bazoum.”
According to him, “Democracy and the stability that generally accompanies democratic governance are essentially for the future prosperity of the African people.”
He, however, insisted that Ghana would not follow in the footsteps of the junta-led countries.
“Ghana has remained steadfast in her commitment to upholding the values outlined in the Commonwealth Charter. In our journey since the inception of the 4th Republic some 30 years ago, we proudly witnessed the smooth transition from one democratically elected government to another of a different party on three separate occasions,” he touted.
