In a keynote address delivered at the launch of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s autobiography in Abuja, Nigeria, Ghana’s Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed his deep disappointment at the resurgence of military coup d’etats in West Africa. The event, attended by Nigeria’s elite, provided a platform for Akufo-Addo to convey his concerns about the threat military interventions pose to democratic governance in the region.
Akufo-Addo emphasized that military coups are not the solution to instability caused by jihadist activity from the Sahel, economic challenges, or unpopular government policies. Instead, he stressed the importance of building and consolidating democratic structures to gain the trust of the population. He argued that democracy is the most suitable form of governance for Africa and urged West African and African countries to remain committed to multi-party democracy.
The former President’s warning comes at a time when the region is facing increasing threats to democratic governance. Akufo-Addo has been a vocal advocate for democracy and has previously urged members of the ECOWAS Parliament to find ways to deal with the emerging re-militarisation of governance in the region.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
