Dr. Umar Johnson, an American psychologist and global activist, has been granted Ghanaian citizenship. This is part of Ghana’s initiative to reconnect Africans living abroad with their heritage, specifically through programs like the “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return”. These initiatives aim to encourage members of the African diaspora to visit, settle, and invest in Ghana.

At the inauguration of President John Mahama as President of Ghana, several dignitaries were present.

There was a significant international presence with 21 Heads of State, including leaders like Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traore, Kenyan President William Ruto, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Nigeria

Representatives from the Commonwealth, including the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, and the African.
Development Bank, among others, were present.

Ibrahim Traore – Burkina Faso

Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, former President John Kufuor, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the National Chief Imam, Sheik Osman Shaributu, were among the local dignitaries who attended the event.

Rwanda President – Paul Kagame.                               The event was further highlighted by the presence of entertainers like Patoranking and local figures like Nacee and Julius Debrah.

This gathering underscored the global recognition of Ghana’s political transition and the significance of Mahama’s return to the presidency.

Ghana’s democratic journey, particularly highlighted by the leadership of Jerry John Rawlings, has been a complex narrative of transformation from military rule to a multi-party democracy.

Rawlings initially came to power through a coup in 1981 and led the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) until the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in 1992.

His transition from a revolutionary to a democratic leader is significant, as he won the presidency in the 1992 and 1996 elections under the newly formed National Democratic Congress (NDC), demonstrating a shift from his earlier stance against multi-party systems to embracing them when it became clear they were favored by the populace.

The discourse on Ghana’s democracy often revolves around the quality and integrity of its electoral processes. Ghana has conducted multiple elections since the re-establishment of democracy, with peaceful transitions of power between the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), indicating a level of democratic stability.

However, there have been criticisms regarding the independence of institutions like the judiciary and the Electoral Commission, with former President John Mahama recently voicing concerns that Ghana has become a “bad model of democracy” due to perceived lack of institutional autonomy.

Economically, Ghana’s democratic period has seen growth, with significant reductions in poverty and the emergence of a middle class, which has contributed to political stability by aligning voter interests more with economic development rather than ethnic or regional affiliations.

In terms of democratic practice, there’s an acknowledgment that while the formal structures of democracy are in place, the actual practice can be marred by issues like vote-buying, distrust in electoral processes, and the need for more transparent governance.

This reflects a broader critique where democracy in Ghana might be more institutional than participatory, focusing on government structures rather than engaging citizens in governance.

Ghana’s democracy has shown resilience and a degree of success in maintaining peace and electoral regularity, it continues to face significant challenges in ensuring that democratic dividends are felt by all citizens, with calls for deeper accountability and institutional reforms to truly empower the populace.