A recent Afrobarometer democracy risk report has revealed majority of Ghanaians believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.

An overwhelming 87 per cent of Ghanaians believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, the report reveals.

This concerning sentiment comes just 141 days before the December 2024 elections, where Ghanaians will elect a new president and parliamentarians.

The report highlights a significant decline in satisfaction with democracy across Africa, with Ghana experiencing one of the most notable drops.

In 2011/2013, 74 per cent of Ghanaians expressed satisfaction with democracy.

However, by 2021/2023, this figure had plummeted to 51 per cent, indicating a 23-percentage-point decrease.

This trend underscores a growing disillusionment with democratic governance among Ghanaians over the past decade.

The Afrobarometer report also reveals disparities in support for democracy between the youth and the elderly in Africa.

 It states: “…although Africa’s youth differ little from their elders in their support for democracy, they express a greater willingness to tolerate military intervention.”

This trend is evident in Ghana, where there is increasing openness to military rule. The rejection of military rule has dropped significantly from 86 per cent in 2011/2013 to 68 per cent in 2021/2023.

Additionally, the report underscores a decline in Ghana’s reputation for clean elections, noting increased violence and fatalities during the 2020 presidential polls.

 “Ghana’s much heralded reputation for clean elections has been tarnished by increased violence, with eight fatalities during the 2020 presidential polls, and President Nana Akufo-Addo has grown increasingly heavy-handed, stifling the media and eroding the accountability of institutions,” the report emphasises.