{"id":94251,"date":"2025-09-15T14:46:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T14:46:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=94251"},"modified":"2025-09-15T14:46:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T14:46:21","slug":"africa-urged-to-fix-democracy-deficit-to-deliver-economic-justice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=94251","title":{"rendered":"Africa urged to fix \u2018democracy deficit\u2019 to deliver economic justice"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>2 Minute, 29 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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Policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders have issued an urgent call for African governments to pursue deep democratic reforms to ensure economic justice and restore public trust.<\/p>\n

They argued that while democracy remains popular across the continent, its failure to deliver tangible economic opportunities has fuelled widespread frustration, particularly among a youth population that feels marginalised and excluded from development benefits.<\/p>\n

\"Africa<\/figure>\n

The call to action was made on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the University of Ghana, Legon, during the launch of a landmark study titled \u2018Analysis of the Nexus Between Democratic Governance and Economic Justice in Africa\u2019.<\/p>\n

The event, organised by the Open Society Foundations (OSF) in partnership with the IDEAS\u2013Africa Network LBG (IDAN), coincided with the International Day of Democracy.<\/p>\n

Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament, Professor Henry Kwesi Prempeh, Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), stated that post-1990s reforms have focused too narrowly on elections, ignoring critical issues of power, accountability, and economic governance.<\/p>\n

\"Africa<\/figure>\n

\u201cDemocracy in Africa is not failing because people reject it. Afrobarometer data shows strong support for democracy, even as dissatisfaction with its results grows. The problem is not demand; it is supply. We have yet to build a democracy that truly meets people\u2019s needs,\u201d Prof. Prempeh noted.<\/p>\n

He criticised the continent\u2019s reliance on imported democratic models from the West instead of developing homegrown systems that reflect African realities.<\/p>\n

\"Africa<\/figure>\n

He identified unregulated campaign financing as a critical flaw, proposing concrete reforms like capping billboard sizes, setting clear campaign periods, and regulating rallies to slash exorbitant election costs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot imitate countries with stronger administrative capacities. We must design democratic solutions that work for us,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n

Dr Ndongo Samba Sylla presented the research report, describing Africa\u2019s democracies as \u201cchoiceless,\u201d hemmed in by neoliberal policies and a lack of economic independence that prevent governments from pursuing transformative development agendas.<\/p>\n

\"Africa<\/figure>\n

This, he explained, perpetuates inequality, unemployment, and youth disillusionment.<\/p>\n

Dr Chukwuemeka Eze of Open Society underscored the centrality of the findings of the report at a time when young people all around the world are pushing for democracy that delivers dignity to the people.<\/p>\n

He noted that the Democratic Futures in Africa program of Open Society Foundations aims to establish inclusive, socially cohesive, rights-based and just African democracies rooted in Ubuntu principles\u2014 shared humanity.<\/p>\n

Panellists, including Liepollo Pheko of the Trade Collective Think Tank and Dr. Amzat Boukari-Yabara of the Pan-African League UMOJA, detailed how neocolonial structures\u2014like foreign control over currencies and resources\u2014continue to undermine economic sovereignty.<\/p>\n

They called for decentralising power, enhancing citizen participation, and dismantling exploitative economic systems that block inclusive growth.<\/p>\n

\"Africa<\/figure>\n

The study\u2019s bold recommendations include universal access to financial and identification systems, increased control over natural resources, institutionalised citizen engagement in policymaking, and guaranteed access to essential services.<\/p>\n

Stakeholders concluded that only a democracy capable of delivering real economic opportunity and social dignity can meet the aspirations of African citizens.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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