The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has urged African leaders to prioritize addressing concerns related to citizen uprisings and civil disobedience over military coup d’état.

He made this appeal during a visit to the Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketia V, as part of Ghana's 30th celebration of Parliamentary Democracy held in Takoradi.

In a report on August 10, 2023, Bagbin emphasized that citizen unrest and disobedience could have more significant repercussions than military interventions.

He pointed out that when people are dissatisfied with their government, they tend to rise against it.

Bagbin highlighted that the real challenge is not coups but rather the potential for civil unrest and uprisings.

Drawing from Ghana's history of military coups, Bagbin illustrated how such actions often resulted in civilian casualties and widespread suffering.

He advocated for a shift towards more open and responsive governance, where elected officials actively listen to the concerns and voices of their constituents.

He underscored the importance of listening to the electorate, emphasizing that the misconception that elected officials inherently understand all issues hampers the development of democracy.

He pointed out the explosive situations occurring in neighboring countries due to such issues.

Bagbin's call for prioritizing citizen concerns comes at a time when several countries in West and North Africa have been facing military takeovers.

Notably, a recent coup occurred in Niger, led by a group of presidential guards under the leadership of General Abdourahmane Tchiani.