President John Dramani Mahama has admonished the political class and others in authority to eschew partisanship to safeguard the nation’s democracy.
He has asked that traits like authoritarianism and impunity be expunged from leadership.
The President made the remarks at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, when the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, led a delegation to announce commencement of the 2025 Democracy Cup.
According to the President, democracy goes beyond elections, factoring tenets like fairness, accountability and justice. He stated that the proper functioning of any strong and independent institutions remain the fulcrum upon which every thriving democracy revolves.
“Democracy is not merely about elections, it’s about accountability, it is about inclusion, it is about fairness and justice. It is about creating a society where every Ghanaian can aspire and achieve regardless of their background,” he stated.
He emphasised the need to govern with humility and respect the people being served, adding that democracy requires the vigilance and participation of all citizens.
“As leaders, we must be reminded that democracy thrives only when institutions are strong, transparent and independent. We must resist the temptation of partisanship, authoritarianism and impunity.
“Our duty is to govern with humility and place the interest of the people above all else. As citizens, democracy requires our vigilance and our participation. It calls on us to hold leaders accountable, to reject violence, to value diversity and defend the freedoms that others before us struggled to,” he averred.
In his remarks, the Speaker of Parliament said parts of the proceeds from the Democracy Cup will channelled in the training of physical education teachers in Senior High Schools who are taking professional FIFA-certified trainings.
The Democracy Cup, which began in 2024, leverages sports, particularly football, as a platform to promote democratic values and foster national unity.
