President John Mahama has called on national leaders and public officials to transcend political divisions, authoritarian tendencies, and disregard for the rule of law, emphasizing that the preservation of democracy must remain a top priority.
He delivered these remarks at Jubilee House on Tuesday, September 2, during a formal visit by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who led a delegation to officially launch the 2025 edition of the Democracy Cup.
President Mahama underscored that democratic governance extends beyond the act of voting. He highlighted the importance of transparency, equity, and justice, asserting that resilient and autonomous institutions are essential to sustaining a healthy democracy.
“Democracy is not merely about elections, it’s about accountability, it is about inclusion, it is about fairness and justice. It is about creating a society where every Ghanaian can aspire and achieve regardless of their background.”
He continued:
“As leaders, we must be reminded that democracy thrives only when institutions are strong, transparent and independent. We must resist the temptation of partisanship, authoritarianism and impunity. Our duty is to govern with humility and place the interest of the people above all else. As citizens, democracy requires our vigilance and our participation. It calls on us to hold leaders accountable, to reject violence, to value diversity and defend the freedoms that others before us struggled to secure and pass down through sacrifice and perseverance.”
These statements were made shortly after President Mahama dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from her position, citing misconduct as determined by a committee that reviewed a petition seeking her removal.
In his address, Speaker Bagbin revealed that a portion of the revenue generated from the Democracy Cup will be allocated to provide FIFA-accredited training for physical education instructors in Senior High Schools across all parliamentary constituencies.
Launched in 2024, the Democracy Cup uses football as a vehicle to advance democratic ideals and strengthen national cohesion.
Leave a Reply