Austin Aigbe, Advocacy Officer for the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), has called on civil society and the media to step up their role in holding politicians accountable.
Speaking on ABC in the Morning on September 18, 2024, he emphasized the urgency of this responsibility, especially as the country prepares for its general elections on December 7.
According to Aigbe, the active involvement of these groups is crucial in ensuring politicians adhere to democratic principles and maintain peace.
“I will charge civil society and the media to hold politicians accountable,” Aigbe said, stressing the importance of having politicians sign peace accords to reduce political tension ahead of the elections.
He warned that while politicians often portray themselves as public servants during campaigns, many tend to change once they rise to power, which further fuels public mistrust.
“Politicians these days are pretending to be servants,” he noted.
Aigbe also called on both the opposition leaders and the ruling party to ensure a level playing field throughout the election period.
He highlighted that the responsibility to protect the democratic process lies not only with political actors but also with institutions such as the Ghana Police and the Electoral Commission.
“The Ghana Police should maintain a leveled plain field to provide protection for the people of Ghana,” Aigbe said, adding that the Electoral Commission must act impartially to uphold the integrity of the election process.
He further stressed the importance of preserving Ghana’s standing as a democratic beacon in West Africa.
“Ghana is the pride in this region. Ghana must not slide into hierarchy, it must not slide into confusion,” Aigbe urged.
He cautioned that any threat to Ghana’s electoral architecture could have far-reaching implications for democracy across the region.
