Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy, has raised concern over the state of Ghana’s democracy, warning that the country’s democratic system is facing increasing pressure more than three decades after the return to constitutional rule.
Speaking at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences Public Forum 2026 on Monday, June 1, 2026, under the theme, “Reflections on a New Social Contract with Citizens in Ghana,”Ms. Addy pointed to declining public trust, economic hardship, corruption, youth unemployment, and widening inequality as evidence of a growing disconnect between constitutional ideals and the everyday experiences of citizens.
According to her, while the 1992 Constitution successfully restored constitutional governance and electoral democracy after years of political instability, the democratic gains achieved over the years are increasingly being tested by persistent socio-economic and governance challenges.
“The 1992 Constitution restored constitutional governance and electoral democracy after years of instability. Yet, more than three decades later, Ghana’s democratic order is showing signs of strain. Declining public trust, economic hardship, institutional weakness, corruption, youth unemployment, and widening inequality have exposed a growing gap between constitutional promises and citizens’ lived realities,” she stated.
She emphasized the need for a renewed commitment to strengthening the relationship between citizens and the state through a new social contract founded on accountability, inclusion, and responsive governance.
She argued that Ghana must move beyond a democracy focused primarily on elections and democratic procedures and instead build institutions capable of delivering meaningful development outcomes for citizens.
Reflecting on Ghana’s political history, she noted that the forum examined the evolution of state-citizen relations under the country’s various republican dispensations, as well as periods of military rule.
“We examined the social contract dimensions of Ghana’s first, second, third, and fourth republics, as well as the ways in which the military regimes attempted to redefine state-citizen relationships outside of democratic frameworks,” she said.
Drawing lessons from both Ghanaian and international experiences, Ms. Addy stressed that the country stands at a critical juncture in its democratic journey.
“Drawing on Ghanaian and comparative experiences, we argued that Ghana now faces a pivotal moment requiring a renewed social contract grounded in accountability, inclusive development, ethical leadership, institutional trust, civic responsibility, and democratic participation,” she added.
She maintained that rebuilding public confidence in democratic institutions would require deliberate efforts to ensure that governance systems respond effectively to the needs and aspirations of citizens.
The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences Public Forum forms part of ongoing national discussions aimed at strengthening democratic governance, fostering civic engagement, and promoting sustainable development through stronger citizen-state relations.
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Story by Albert Otokunor Sampah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
