ACGCER holds street dialogue on democracy

The Africa Centre for Global Citizenship and Education Research (ACGCER) has held a day-long street advocacy campaign on democracy.

The Advocacy is part of the Street Dialogue Project, under the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU), which is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre.

In 1957, Ghana gained independence, a move that was seen as a major booster for the independence of states bordering it.

The democracy wasn't stable as there were approximately five (5) coups d'état between 1957 and 1992 when the country returned to democracy.

From 1992 to date, the country has enjoyed a relatively peaceful transfer of power from a government to the other.

However, a lack of development and a slowing economy are retrogressing the nation's democracy.

Young people, especially, have lost confidence in the government and its institutions.

The streets advocacy on democracy seeks to afford ordinary citizens the opportunity to share their views and opinions on democracy and global issues.

The street advocacy was held at Krofrom, a community within Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region. Young people pass by the booth to share their opinions on democratic happenings in the country.

A female participant mentioned that, she doesn't believe in the Ghanaian democratic system because the rule of law doesn't apply equally to all people.

Another participant explained that his confidence in the democratic system of the country has shrunk due to the past government's ability to manage corruption.

A situation, Mr. Sani Sali, a program coordinator at the center who led the street dialogue, said, is contributing to the country's setback. "Corruption remains a major concern. Illegal mining and oppression of the media, among others, continue to affect the country's democracy," he said.

"To better understand what ordinary citizens think of the current stage, we held a street dialogue where we asked the question, "What does democracy mean to you?" he added.

More than 100 young people passed by the stand to share their experiences and opinions on what they think of democracy in Ghana.