President Akufo-Addo has highlighted the need for more work to be done on elevating the quality of public discourse in Ghana.
Touting Ghana’s democracy as a source of its pride, he underscored the importance of free speech and the vibrant media landscape as the cornerstone of the country’s functioning democracy.
Speaking during Ghana’s 67th Independence Celebration on the theme “OUR DEMOCRACY, OUR PRIDE”, President Akufo-Addo indicated that Ghana’s democratic standing has been meticulously crafted over time despite the British Colonial rule for over a century year.
He reflected on the country’s journey towards electoral stability and expressed that Ghana has seen notable improvements in the democratic process with each election.
However, he believes the country has more to learn especially in greater tolerance in the lead-up to the December polls.
“We still have a lot more to learn especially when it comes to the tolerance of opposing views. But we also know that we dare not relapse, as there are many examples of countries that have disintegrated into chaos as a result of disputed elections.”
He added “When it comes to free speech and a vigorous media as indicators of a working democracy, I believe we can say we are doing well. There is no danger of dissenting voices not being heard on any subject, even though we still have more work to do on elevating the quality of public discourse.”
President Akufo Addo further stressed the need for Ghanaians not to be complacent with its democratic achievements but to compare with the best.
“When we look around our neighbourhood, we might be tempted to think that our work is done, but we, Ghanaians, have never been known to settle for mediocrity. We aim for the best in every field. We should compare ourselves with the best that there is, and not settle for anything less. For as long as there is poverty and injustice anywhere in Ghana, our work is not done.
On a day like this, we should pay homage, of course, as I have done, to our forebears and the elders who fought for independence and worked through the years to establish all that we have to be proud of today, but our attitude should always be that there are better days ahead, and work towards that, instead of yearning for some bygone good old days.”
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Source: Aba Aikins/ATLFMNEWS
