Afrobarometer Report: Ghanaians reject military take-over

The West African Sub-Region has experienced several coups over the last few years due to the mis-governance of democratically elected leaders. However, an Afrobarometer Round-9 survey has revealed that Ghanaians strongly disapprove of any form of military rule of the country.

In September 2021, Special Forces commander Colonel Mamady Doumbouya ousted Guinean President Alpha Conde. A year earlier, Conde had changed the constitution to circumvent limits that would have prevented him from standing for a third term, triggering widespread rioting. Doumbouya became interim president and promised a transition to democratic elections within three years.

He has since proposed to start the 24-month transition in January 2023, but opposition parties say it has done little to put in place institutions and a roadmap to return to constitutional rule.

Same could be said about a group of Malian colonels led by Assimi Goita who ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020. The coup followed anti-government protests over deteriorating security, contested legislative elections and allegations of corruption.

Recent among coups perpetrated on the sub-region is Niger’s presidential guards holding President Mohamed Bazoum inside his palace in the capital Niamey and overthrowing his government to the utmost dismay of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

However, in Ghana, a survey conducted by the Afrobarometer has revealed that Ghanaians completely disagree of any military take-over of the country due to the failure of the political class.

In their Round-9 survey conducted in 2021/2023, about 1,598 respondents representing 67.5% disapproves of any form of military intervention or rule of the country.

Meanwhile, 687 respondents representing 29% are of the view that, they will strongly approve of any form of military take-over of the country possibly due to the state of the Ghanaian economy and corruption.

Former President Mahama in a Facebook post on Monday, July 31, 2023, expounded that transparent and accountable governance in which opportunities are open to all and not just a few is the greatest guarantor of the Ghanaian democracy.

He further indicated that the maladministration of the Akufo-Addo – Bawumia government is the biggest threat to the survival of the Ghanaian constitutional democracy.

As Ghanaians continue to be law abiding and supporters of democracy, they expect the political class to work to alleviate the suffering of the ordinary Ghanaian.

Source: ghananewsonline.com.gh