Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Africans to hold their leaders accountable by voting out those who fail to deliver on their mandates. He made this call at the 2025 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s Democracy Dialogue held in Ghana, where he warned that electoral manipulation poses a significant threat to democracy on the continent.
According to a statement issued by the foundation’s communications officer, Dickson Ominabo, Mr. Jonathan stated that democracy in Africa is under strain and risks collapse unless stakeholders work together to reform it. He emphasized that a credible electoral process is crucial in ensuring that leaders who fail to perform are removed at the polls. However, he lamented that electoral manipulation has allowed some leaders to cling to power against the will of the people.
Mr. Jonathan identified citizens’ expectations as freedom, fair representation, inclusivity, education, security, healthcare, jobs, and dignity. He warned that when leaders fail to meet these needs, public disillusionment grows, paving the way for authoritarian tendencies. The former president also praised the rising participation of young people in governance but stressed the need for them to be guided by the wisdom and experience of older generations.
Ghana’s President, John Mahama, echoed Mr. Jonathan’s sentiments, calling for a reset of democratic practices on the continent. He emphasized that democracy will not survive unless Africans deliberately work to protect and strengthen it. Mr. Mahama also highlighted the need to strengthen democratic institutions, deliver development, protect civic space, and guarantee press freedom, describing a free press as “democracy’s immune system.”
The event, which brought together African leaders and policymakers, including Nigeria’s former president Olusegun Obasanjo, underscored the importance of promoting democratic values and practices in Africa. The discussions centered on the need for accountability, transparency, and good governance in ensuring the survival and thriving of democracy on the continent. As African countries continue to grapple with democratic challenges, the call for reform and accountability is likely to gain momentum, with citizens and leaders working together to strengthen democratic institutions and promote sustainable development.
