Democracy hinges on media freedom, peaceful protests – Mahama to African leaders

President John Dramani Mahama has challenged African leaders, urging them to move beyond symbolic declarations and deliver tangible reforms for their people. 

Speaking at the launch of the 13th High-Level African Union (AU) Dialogue on Human Rights, Democracy, and Governance in Accra, Ghana’s president decried the growing obstruction of peaceful protests and media practices on the continent.

Addressing former heads of tate, judges, ministers, and civil society actors, Mahama called for urgent action to confront deep-rooted injustice, historical exploitation, and growing youth discontent.

“Our citizens are watching and waiting,” he said. 

“Our young people, who form the majority, are growing increasingly impatient. They’re not asking for charity. They demand fairness. They demand opportunity. And they demand a stake in this continent’s future,” he said.

The forum, under the theme “Justice, Rights, Reparations and State Building,” is part of the AU’s broader efforts to address the legacy of slavery, colonialism, and systemic inequality. Mahama warned that many of Africa’s current challenges, from weak institutions to repressive governance, are rooted in a failure to address these historical injustices.

He stated that “true and lasting peace can only be achieved when justice exists, when the rights of our people are respected, and when governance is inclusive, accountable, and people-owned.”

He urged AU member-states to move quickly to operationalize the AU’s declared Decade of Reparations from 2026 to 2036, stressing that Africa cannot afford another symbolic declaration that ends in inaction.

“These are critical milestones. But we must now move swiftly to operationalize them. Let this not be another declaration left on paper,” he said.

The president also called for strong legal protections for civic space across the continent. He said the right to protest, organize, and participate freely in public life must be safeguarded if democracy is to survive.

“Democracy cannot thrive in the presence of fear or repression. Our governments must exist for all our people, not just a privileged few,” he said.

He advocated for civic and political education to be integrated into national policies and school curricula, arguing that civic disengagement often stems from exclusion and mistrust rather than indifference.

Tying his message to Ghana’s legacy in the Pan-African movement, Mahama reaffirmed the country’s commitment to continental unity, justice, and inclusive development.

“This dialogue must be remembered as a moment of continental reawakening. Justice must inform the institutions we create, the policies we enact, and the leadership we embody.” He officially opened the AU Dialogue, urging participants to go beyond discussion and turn vision into action.

On his part, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for African nations to move beyond rhetoric and institutionalize justice, reparations, and inclusive governance as cornerstones of sustainable state-building.

Delivering a welcome address at the 13th High-level African Union (AU) dialogue in Accra, Ablakwa emphasized that for Ghana, “justice, human rights, and good governance are not mere ideals, they are ingrained in our DNA.”

The gathering, hosted under the auspices of the African Governance Architecture and the AU’s Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, is themed “Justice, Rights, Reparations and State Building.” The Minister described the forum as a timely platform to reaffirm Africa’s collective resolve to confront the legacies of enslavement, colonialism, apartheid, and systemic exclusion.

“Let us seize this opportunity to envision collaboratively and actively pursue a future where restorative justice moves beyond rhetorical discourse and manifests as a tangible reality for all,” Ablakwa stated.

He stressed that state-building efforts across the continent must be rooted in fairness, inclusivity, and the redress of historical injustices. Ghana, he noted, remains a steadfast advocate for reparative justice and equity-driven governance, drawing strength from the wisdom of its forefathers, the energy of its youth, and the contributions of its diaspora.

“We must nurture an African continent where rights are respected, voices are heard, justice is upheld, and opportunities are created for the many and not the few,” he added.

While recognizing the African Union’s unwavering commitment to citizen welfare and democratic principles, the Minister did not shy away from critiquing the international community.

“In global circles, efforts to address these matters are often hampered by a lack of political will, moral courage, and, in some cases, outright resistance by detractors,” he added.

He expressed hope that the conference would spark actionable outcomes capable of shaping the Africa envisioned by its people.

In a keynote address delivered by Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, he urged African leaders to continue to exhibit unwavering commitment to the African Union’s shared values and norms. He stated that Africa has been marked by resilience against the transatlantic slave trade, against apartheid, and colonialism. These errors cannot continue to define the African identity.

By Fred Duhoe

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