Idayat Hassan CDD West Africa// advocate strong institutional structures to deepen democracy
Idayat Hassan CDD West Africa// advocate strong institutional structures to deepen democracy
CDD have called for the deepening of democratic norms, especially the rule of law, equity and inclusiveness, to build confidence in the governance system and ensure equal opportunities for citizens.
Mrs. Idayat Hassan, Executive director CDD west Africa, advocated strong and effectiveinstitutional structures to deepen Ghana’s democratic process and restore citizens’ trust in the various arms of government.
Mrs. Idayat Hassan, Executive director CDD west Africa, said there was the need for Ghana to live up to the accolade of being a beacon of hope in terms of democratic governance and sustenance in Africa.
It was organised by the Centre for Democratic Development, ( CDD), in Accra on Tusdasy.
Mrs. Idayat Hassan, Executive director CDD west Africa, said among the challenges affecting the country’s democratic practice was the lack of capacity to build public institutions to effectively perform their checks and balances roles.
She said, the manner in which persons elected into the highest offices became dictators and autocratic, thereby manipulating and controlling state actors and institutions, was hindering Africa’s governance systems and economies, and Ghana was not an exception, he said.
“Africa has gone through coups, union governments, party politices and finally to multiparty democracy, which has been widely accepted as the best option.
She said, however, democracy is not a destination in itself but must be nurtured and built upon to ensure sustenance and restore confidence, especially in the youth,” Idayat Hassan, Executive director CDD West Africa said.
“Africa is experiencing emerging youthful populations, who are beginning to question whether the democracy being practised can deliver the goods.
Some even think it’s deceptive as it hardly responded to the needs of the marginalised.”
The CDD attributed the challenges of governance partly to the winner-takes-all situation, where elected governments appointed public officers, who appeared to satisfy their (governments) interests, to the detriment of the state.
Story by Fada Amakye from Daily Sun online
