Mr. Jelvis Kwame Baidoo, Team Lead of the Jelvis Foundation, has taken to social media to strongly criticize the actions of Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé, who recently oversaw amendments to the country’s constitution that many believe are designed to extend his grip on power indefinitely.
In a candid Facebook post that quickly gained attention across digital platforms, Mr. Baidoo didn’t mince words. Referring to the President’s long-standing rule and inherited power, he wrote:
“Africa is crazy indeed! You were sworn in as the President of Togo since 2005 after the demise of your father Gnassingbé Eyadéma. And now you have the audacity to amend the constitution to allow you to be in power forever!”
This bold statement underscores the growing frustration felt by many Africans—especially among the youth—about the wave of constitutional manipulations and leadership entrenchment occurring in several African countries.
Faure Gnassingbé came to power in 2005 following the death of his father, Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who ruled Togo for 38 years. Since then, Faure has remained in office through multiple elections, many of which have been marred by allegations of fraud, repression, and lack of transparency.
The recent constitutional amendment, passed in April 2024, introduces a new presidential system that critics say is designed to reset term limits and potentially allow him to remain president until 2031 or beyond. The changes sparked opposition protests, civil unrest, and international concern—but within parts of the region, open criticism from public figures has remained relatively rare.
That’s why Jelvis Baidoo’s voice stands out.
While Baidoo is best known for his foundation’s impact in Ghana—providing boreholes, launching free WiFi projects, and offering interest-free loans to entrepreneurs—he is also emerging as a powerful voice on governance, equity, and justice across Africa.
His willingness to speak out against entrenched power, despite the sensitivity of cross-border politics, reflects a growing movement of African leaders and changemakers who believe good governance is not a luxury but a necessity.
“We cannot develop Africa if our leaders act like kings,” one of his followers commented on the post. “Jelvis is saying what many of us are thinking.”
Jelvis Baidoo’s statement aligns with a deeper concern about democratic backsliding in Africa. In the past two decades, multiple leaders across the continent have amended constitutions or eliminated term limits, weakening checks and balances and undermining citizen trust in political systems.
Examples include Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Chad, Cameroon, Congo, and now Togo—all of which have experienced controversial extensions of presidential mandates.
This trend not only discourages youth participation in politics but also fuels disillusionment, migration, and instability.
Jelvis Baidoo’s comment isn’t just a personal opinion—it is part of a larger demand for responsible, transparent, and time-bound leadership across Africa. By calling out leaders who prioritize power over progress, Baidoo and others are asserting that Africa deserves better.
Young Africans like him are no longer willing to remain silent while a generation of leaders use outdated laws, family legacy, and manipulated systems to cling to power. They demand leaders who serve, not reign.
As the situation in Togo continues to unfold, the international community and African civil society will be watching closely. But one thing is clear: voices like Jelvis Baidoo’s are becoming louder, braver, and more influential.
And in a time when speaking truth to power is not always safe or popular, his courage is a reminder that real change begins when ordinary people take a stand—not just for their own nations, but for Africa as a whole.
