The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, has raised alarm over the declining state of democracy in West Africa, warning that the subregion is increasingly vulnerable to coups, violent extremism, and the erosion of fundamental rights.
His concerns come in the wake of fresh political turmoil in Guinea-Bissau, where a group of military officers on Monday claimed to have taken control of the country as citizens awaited the results of Sunday’s presidential election. The officers later appeared on national television to announce that they had suspended the voting process, prompting widespread concern among regional and international observers.
In a swift response, the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), and the West African Elders Forum issued a joint statement condemning the attempted coup.
The missions called for calm and reaffirmed their support for Guinea-Bissau’s democratic transition. “We reaffirm our commitment to supporting the country on its democratic path… and underscore the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people during this sensitive period,” the statement said.
Dr Rogg noted that the resurgence of military takeovers globally reflects a broader decline in democratic norms.
“Democracy has been under threat across the world. In several countries that were once democratic, we have witnessed coups and the imposition of authoritarianism. Even in established democracies, rights have often been eroded,” he warned.
While commending Ghana for its long-standing commitment to democratic governance, he stressed that these gains cannot be taken for granted. Democracy, he emphasised, must continuously evolve to reflect the ambitions and expectations of the people.
He referenced the latest Afrobarometer survey, which reports a 20-percentage-point drop in public confidence in Ghana’s democracy, an indicator he described as deeply troubling for national and regional democratic development.