The Secretary-General of the Community of Democracies, Mantas Adomėnas, has described Ghana as a beacon of democracy, noting that the country continues to uphold democratic principles at a time when a wave of military juntas in parts of Africa is reversing hard-won democratic gains on the continent.
He made the remarks during a courtesy call on the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, James Gyakye Quayson, where discussions focused on the state of democratic governance globally. The Secretary-General highlighted the resurgence of coups d’état, the rise of illegitimate governments and the gradual erosion of democratic norms in several regions. He stressed that these developments pose a serious threat to constitutional rule and multilateral cooperation.
Dr. Adomėnas emphasised the urgent need to renew the global democratic narrative to respond to emerging challenges, particularly the growing influence of disinformation and misinformation, which are increasingly undermining public trust in institutions and electoral processes. He noted that digital manipulation, foreign interference and declining civic trust require democracies to innovate and strengthen institutional resilience.
He expressed the Community’s strong interest in deepening collaboration with Ghana, pointing to the country’s record of political stability and peaceful transfers of power since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1992. Over more than three decades, Ghana has conducted successive multiparty elections and maintained constitutional order, reinforcing the sovereignty of its people through adherence to the rule of law.
Providing an overview of the Community of Democracies, Dr. Adomėnas explained that the intergovernmental coalition was established in 2000 following the signing of the Warsaw Declaration. The organisation brings together governments committed to strengthening democratic institutions, civil society participation and respect for human rights. With dozens of member states across different regions, it serves as a platform for peer learning, electoral integrity support, and coordinated responses to democratic backsliding. He observed with concern the global regression in democratic standards and reiterated the organisation’s commitment to promoting inclusive governance, women’s political participation and stronger democratic safeguards.
He further highlighted the importance of electoral integrity, inclusiveness within multilateral organisations and adapting democratic systems to contemporary global realities. Women’s empowerment, he said, remains central to building resilient democratic institutions, as inclusive governance strengthens accountability and representation.
Deputy Minister Gyakye Quayson underscored the importance of youth participation in governance, noting that young people form a significant share of Ghana’s population and are directly affected by policy decisions. Empowering them to contribute meaningfully to national discourse and decision-making, he said, is essential for sustaining democratic legitimacy.
He acknowledged that democracy is increasingly being tested globally and within West Africa’s sub-region. Despite these pressures, he stated that Ghana has sustained its democratic credentials in a complex and sometimes unstable regional environment.
Governance indicators from international institutions have highlighted Ghana’s relative strength in rule of law, voice and accountability, and political stability compared to several neighbouring states that have experienced unconstitutional changes of government.
While concerns remain around corruption perception, economic governance pressures and institutional efficiency, Ghana’s continued adherence to constitutional rule and regular elections has reinforced its image as one of the more stable democracies on the African continent.
The engagement between Ghana and the Community of Democracies therefore reflects not only diplomatic courtesy but also a shared commitment to protecting and advancing democratic governance at a time of significant global uncertainty.
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