Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged the international community to pursue bold structural reforms to safeguard democracy and promote global fairness at the Fourth High-Level Meeting of the “In Defence of Democracy” Summit in Barcelona.
Representing President John Dramani Mahama, she joined world leaders, policymakers, and international organizations to deliberate on rising threats to democratic systems, including extremism, polarization, and disinformation.
The “In Defence of Democracy” initiative, launched during the 2024 session of the United Nations General Assembly, serves as a global platform to strengthen coordination and reinforce democratic governance across nations.
At this year’s meeting, participants focused on three main priorities: strengthening institutions and multilateral cooperation, addressing the growing influence of disinformation and digital technologies, and tackling extremism alongside widening inequality.
In her address, Professor Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that defending democracy requires more than political will, it demands strong, inclusive systems that deliver for citizens. She called for urgent action to address structural inequalities and reform international legal frameworks to better protect women and vulnerable groups. She also highlighted the need for stronger governance and oversight in the digital space to combat misinformation.
A central theme of her speech was the need to reform the global financial architecture. She noted that many developing countries continue to face unfair lending conditions and high interest rates, which limit their ability to invest in development and democratic stability. According to her, financial resources must be distributed more equitably, while global trade systems should be restructured to serve broader interests rather than a select few.
Highlighting Africa’s efforts toward economic transformation, she pointed to the African Continental Free Trade Area as a major milestone. She said the agreement is helping to integrate markets, boost intra-African trade, create jobs, and strengthen the continent’s resilience in a competitive global economy.
However, she stressed that regional progress must be complemented by meaningful global reforms and called for international financial systems that are more inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of developing countries.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang underscored that the future of democracy depends on effective institutions, inclusive economic growth, and a shared global commitment to fairness and accountability.
Veep Opoku-Agyemang in Spain for 4th High-Level Meeting of ‘In Defence of Democracy Initiative’
