President John Dramani Mahama has called on member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to unite in defending democratic governance, warning that the collapse of democracy in any single country poses a threat to the stability of the entire region.
Speaking at the 2025 Democracy Dialogues hosted by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, President Mahama emphasised that democratic values must be protected collectively if West Africa is to prevent a slide into authoritarianism and political unrest.
“We must also build regional solidarity, because the fall of democracy in one nation weakens democracy in all other nations,” he said.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to democracy, pledging that his administration would not only speak about democratic values but also put them into practice. “We will defend the independence of our institutions, support free expression, and continue to stand with ECOWAS in promoting democratic governance across West Africa,” he added.
Mahama’s remarks come against the backdrop of political tensions, constitutional challenges, and citizen-led protests across parts of the subregion. Several ECOWAS states have in recent years faced military takeovers, contested elections, and growing demands for accountability. His call therefore resonates with the urgency of safeguarding fragile democratic gains that remain under threat from instability, poverty, and weak governance structures.
To address these concerns, the Ghanaian leader outlined a five-point framework for sustaining democracy in West Africa:
- Strengthening independent state institutions such as courts, parliaments, and electoral commissions.
- Delivering tangible development outcomes to improve citizens’ lives and build trust in democratic systems.
- Protecting press freedom and civic space to encourage open dialogue and transparency.
- Educating citizens on democratic values to foster resilience against authoritarian influence.
- Building cross-border solidarity to ensure that setbacks in one nation do not erode progress in others.
President Mahama concluded by stressing that ECOWAS must stand as a collective guardian of democracy, ensuring that the principles of accountability, rule of law, and freedom are upheld across the region.
