Ghana: A Consolidated Democracy?

From the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU) — The Dynamics of the Transformation of a Regional Integration

“…Specifically, the OAU failed to promote and institutionalize democratic governance on the continent. This is underscored by the fact that at a point in time (between the late 1950s and the mid-1990s), virtually all African states were controlled by either military dictators or single-party regimes that were generally kleptocratic, prebendal, corrupt, and unaccountable to the people (Botchway, 2018). It is not surprising, then, that the organization came to be regarded as a "club of dictators" by some, and thus lacked the moral standing to serve as an effective voice for Africa (Olympio, 2004).…”

Democratic Backsliding in Africa?

“…Ghana's legal system has its roots in the post-independence period, which started in 1957 under Kwame Nkrumah and his Convention Peoples Party (CPP). A liberal constitution established a Westminster-style parliamentary government and guaranteed a full suite of democratic rights for citizens, including the right to contest elections as well as an independent judiciary (Botchway, 2018). A new constitution in 1960 created an executive president as head of state and government.…”

The Non-Aligned Movement, Ghana and the Early Days of African Diplomacy: Reflections on a Developing Country’s Foreign Policy

“…Positive neutrality and nonalignment were also proffered as a shield that protected one from the fiery darts and targeted arrows of the ideological conflict between the West and the East. Indeed, it was Nkrumah's strong and unflinching beliefs in the African personality, emancipation and decolonisation project that made Ghana's commitment to non-alignment and positive neutrality emblematic of the country's identity as the black star of hope and freedom (Botchway, 2018). As a statesman and Pan-Africanist, one of Nkrumah's core beliefs was to contribute to the effective consolidation of the Non-Aligned Movement and to spearhead the developmental needs of African states.…”

“…The longest military regime was Rawlings's PNDC (1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992), which metamorphosed into the NDC, which ruled Ghana for two conservative terms under the Fourth Republic. After serving for eight years, the NDC lost power to the New Patriotic Party, marking the first smooth transition of power from an incumbent to the opposition under the Fourth Republic (Botchway, 2018;Botchway, & Hamid Kwarteng, 2018, pp. 1-12).…”