Democracy in Africa is currently under strain, given the recent military coups recorded so far in the last three years. From 2022 to date, five coups have taken place in West Africa and two others in the North and Central.

This has sparked concerns among stakeholders, including Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, who has expressed fears about the sustainability of democracy both in the region and globally.

Joining other stakeholders in discussions at the recent Democracy Dialogue 2025 held at the Accra International Conference Centre under the theme “Why democracies die”, President Mahama, in his keynote speech, warned African leaders of the need to address the challenges faced by their citizens or risk losing their democracies to military rulers and other anti-democracy forces.

In reference to the recent topplings, particularly in the Sahel, mostly referred to as the “Coup Belt”, President Mahama recommended the need to strengthen African institutions, including the judiciary, parliaments, and electoral bodies, adding the need to deliver development by providing proper roads, educational and healthcare facilities, as well as providing jobs for the youth.

He said, “The first is that we must strengthen institutions; independent courts, parliaments, and our electoral bodies. The second is that we must deliver development, because democracy without development, democracy without roads, schools, hospitals, and jobs, will always be at risk. Third, we must educate our citizens.

“As Thomas Sankara said, a soldier without political education or ideological training is a potential criminal. The same is true of leadership without ethical grounding.

Fourth, we must protect media and civic space. A free press is democracy’s immune system. Finally, we must build regional solidarity, because the fall of democracy in one nation weakens democracy in all others”.

He added, “Like Amadou Toumani Touré said: whatever system of government you have, autocracy, democracy, theocracy, if it does not deliver opportunities and prosperity to the people, it will not survive

President Mahama highlighted the growing taste for military rule over democracy, particularly among the youth, which he said was a major cause for concern, given the population of youth in Africa.

He referred to the loud applause and cheers received by leaders of the military junta during his inauguration in January this year, citing a survey conducted by Afrobarometer and released in July last year, which suggested that more of the youth prefer a military regime over democracy.

President Mahama noted, “For those who attended my inauguration: if you were not on Black Star Square but were locked in a room and only heard the announcements of presidents coming up to greet me, you would have noticed that the loudest applause was for the countries that have overthrown democracy and are under military dictatorship. That should give us pause for thought. That should make us ask ourselves why democracy is dying.

That’s why today’s topic is relevant: What are the things we need to do to sustain democracy? Democracy will not survive by itself if we don’t work for it. Surveys such as Afrobarometer show that many young people now say they would prefer to live under a military government. That should give us pause for thought.

After outlining the challenges confronting Africa’s democracy, President Mahama called for more forums like the ‘Democracy Dialogue’ to identify, discuss, and solve them to make democracy attractive to the youth.

He said citizens have grown weary of corruption, tired of misgovernance, and tired of the lack of opportunity, hence the need for accountability among leaders.

“That is why I said we need a reset of our democracy, our economy, and our governance. We need to make governance accountable. Anybody who wants to serve in public office must be prepared to account to the people. ….Those of us who believe in democracy must continue to use dialogues like this to see what is wrong with our implementation of democracy so that we can make a reset that makes the youth continue to have faith in democratic governance and not romanticise unconstitutional government,” he stressed.

President Mahama also mentioned that it is for all the stated reasons why he has called for a reset. The Mahama-led administration assumed office with what he describes as a "reset agenda," an economic recovery and social transformation move to help stabilise and ensure economic growth.

Before he assumed power, one of the major highlights in his campaign message was to reset the country, and after just nine months in power. Many have lauded his efforts so far, despite challenges such as galamsey and other poor road networks marring his measures.

In the educational sector, he announced free tuition for freshers entering university and other public tertiary institutions by allocating GH¢452.9 million via the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund).

In the transport sector, the Mahama-led administration has paid GH¢809 million to the contractor working on the Pokuase–Nsawam Road (Greater Accra to Eastern Corridor) for four interchanges planned for Amasaman, Pobiman, Medie, and Nsawam Junction.

Also, the government, on September 16, cut sod for the construction of the Afienya road, promising a one-year completion.

During the event, Roads Minister, Kwame Governs Agbodz, affirmed that “This is not a campaign promise—it’s a bold intervention. The contractor on this stretch can deliver in less than 24 months.”

In the health sector, the government has invested GH¢2 Billion in Medical Equipment & Training between 2025 and 2028, as announced by the Ministry of Finance in April.

Also, the Ga North Municipal Hospital (Accra) received $1.5 million worth of equipment in September 2025. The equipment includes anaesthesia machines, incubators, ECGs, sterilisers, delivery sets, and more.