Former President Goodluck Jonathan urged Africans to hold their leaders accountable by voting out those who fail to deliver on their mandates. Speaking at the 2025 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation’s Democracy Dialogue in Ghana, he warned that electoral manipulation poses a significant threat to democracy on the continent. According to a statement from the foundation’s communications officer, Dickson Ominabo, Jonathan said 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 for removing underperforming leaders at the polls, but lamented that manipulation has allowed some officials to cling to power against the will of the people.
Jonathan identified citizens’ core 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. While praising the rising participation of young people in governance, he stressed the need for them to be guided by the wisdom and experience of older generations.
Ghana’s President John Mahama echoed Jonathan’s sentiments, calling for a reset of democratic practices across the continent. He emphasized that democracy will not survive unless Africans deliberately work to protect and strengthen it. Mahama highlighted the need to reinforce democratic institutions, deliver development, protect civic space, and guarantee press freedom, describing a free press as “democracy’s immune system.”
The event brought together African leaders and policymakers, including Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and underscored the importance of promoting democratic values and practices in Africa. Discussions centered on accountability, transparency, and good governance as essential for 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 institutions and promote sustainable development.
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