News
Democracy will not survive by itself if we don’t work for it– Pres. Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has warned that democracy cannot sustain itself unless leaders and citizens take deliberate steps to protect and strengthen it.
He was speaking at the 2025 Democracy League Dialogue, held at the Accra International Conference Centre yesterday.
The event is a high-level forum organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in partnership with the Government of Ghana to examine the state of democracy in Africa under the theme “Why Democracies Die.”
The Dialogue brought together former heads of state, policymakers, civil society leaders, faith figures, and scholars to reflect on the erosion of democratic norms, challenges facing governance in West Africa, and ways to make democracy more sustainable.
It aims to generate practical recommendations to prevent democratic backsliding and to strengthen institutions across the continent.
Recalling his inauguration years ago, President Mahama said the loudest applause at the time was reserved for leaders from countries under military rule, a reaction he described as troubling.
“That should give us a pause for thought. That should make us think and ask ourselves questions,” he said.
He stressed that democracy must deliver opportunities and prosperity to citizens if it is to remain relevant. Quoting Omar Touré, he noted, “Whatever system of government you have autocracy, democracy, theocracy, whatever, if it does not deliver opportunities and prosperity to the people, it will not survive.”
The President also cited surveys such as Afrobarometer, which reveal that many young Africans were losing faith in democratic governance.
He said it was alarming that some young people indicated they would prefer to live under military governments, warning that such sentiments pose a serious threat to democratic stability.
President Mahama urged African leaders and citizens to work together to strengthen institutions, deliver development, and restore confidence in democracy, insisting that the system can only endure if it truly works for the people.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Director of the Public Health Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and observe good hygiene during the flooding and rainy season to prevent a cholera outbreak.
According to him, although flooding in some parts of the country has subsided, the risk of cholera remains because the conditions that promote the spread of the disease still exist.
“The risk of cholera still exists,” Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe said, explaining that cholera is closely linked to unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation.
Speaking on 3 FM on Thursday, he cautioned the public against becoming complacent a few days or weeks after the floods, stressing that people should continue to be careful about the food they eat and the water they drink.
“I want to urge Ghanaians to be careful what we eat and drink. Let’s not assume that because the flood came last week, we can lower our guard,” he said.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe noted that countries with access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation have largely eliminated cholera, adding that Ghana still has challenges in those areas.
He therefore advised the public to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, especially by washing their hands regularly with soap and clean water.
According to him, handwashing remains the most effective and affordable way to reduce the spread of cholera and other infectious diseases.
“The most cost-effective intervention is handwashing with soap and water,” he said.
According to him “That does not depend on whether there are floods or not. Make sure you wash your hands regularly with soap and water.”
He called on Ghanaians to maintain clean surroundings and practise proper sanitation to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks during the rainy season.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Supreme Court has dismissed all four suits challenging the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkonoo from office as Chief Justice.
The court delivered its rulings earlier this morning, ending the legal challenge at the domestic level.
This follows last week’s judgement by the ECOWAS Court, which also rejected applications seeking to overturn Justice Torkonoo’s removal.
Each of the four cases filed at the Supreme Court argued against the processes that led to Justice Torkonoo’s exit. The court, however, found no legal basis to grant relief and dismissed each application in its entirety.
In a brief statement by the Deputy Attorney-General Jusrice Srem-Sai after the rulings, he expressed appreciation to the legal team.
“Gratitude to our team of State Attorneys and members of staff,” he posted on Facebook, acknowledging their role in defending the state’s position through both ECOWAS and Supreme Court proceedings.
Background
Justice Gertrude Torkonoo was removed from office as Chief Justice following proceedings initiated earlier this year.
The move triggered multiple legal challenges, including four separate suits at the Supreme Court and petitions before the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
Both courts have now ruled against the challengers.
Last week, the ECOWAS Court dismissed the regional applications, and this morning’s Supreme Court decision closes the matter in Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
