Dr. Abdul Hakim Ahmed, a political science lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba has expressed deep concerns over the declining or shrinking civic engagement in Ghana and attributed it to excessive security brutalities of protestors and successive government failures to address public concerns.
In an interview with the Vaultz News, the renowned political scientist bemoaned the historical brutalities against protestors and the recent arrests of anti-galamsey protestors, highlighting both the complex relationship between citizens and government and the underlying risks to Ghana’s democratic fabric.
Dr Ahmed began by pointing to the diminishing participation in political protests, attributing it largely to the intense response of security forces.
“The excessive brutalities faced by protestors and at times lethal force exercised by security services, has left a lasting imprint on citizens’ willingness to speak out. During Kumepreko, protesters were killed and nothing happened. After that, we have, protesters during the CJA, the Committee for Joint Action, and others being brutalized.
“There was even a point where I remember Kwesi Pratt was threatened during the Kufour Hotel saga when he decided to lead a demonstration at the hotel site. An MP openly threatened to physically deal with him and his people if they dared go to the place. And then you have a situation where during the Let My Vote Count Alliance demonstration, key political figures, including even Gabby Asare Ochere Darko, were brutalized by the security service”.
Dr Abdul Hakim Ahmed, a political science lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
He also expressed concerns over the recent wave of arrests, imprisonments, and alleged abuses of judicial and security powers against protesters. Dr Hakim pointed out recent draconian measures and actions by the police and judiciary targeting demonstrators who have voiced dissent against government policies.
He claimed these actions are designed to stifle public protests, with authorities allegedly using the judicial arm to enforce severe penalties on those apprehended.
This history of aggressive responses and the recent wave of arrests and imprisonment of protestors in addition to government inaction, according to Dr Hakim has instilled a profound hesitation among citizens.
He added that many citizens have resigned to the belief that their voices will not bring about change, especially when governments appear to take entrenched positions.
This resignation, he noted is particularly apparent in issues like illegal mining, or galamsey, where citizens have observed government inaction or lack of political will, creating a palpable sense of futility.
“So people have resigned to that faith that why do I have to go and waste my time, honestly, waste my energy, and then risk being brutalized by the security services when I know that this government has taken an entrenched position and has no political will to change its policies or its actions and inactions on Galamsey, or any other national issues.”
Dr Abdul Hakim Ahmed, a political science lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
Parental Apprehension
Additionally, Dr Hakim Ahmed noted that parental apprehension has compounded this reluctance, with guardians understandably dissuading younger generations from engaging in protests given the recent violent incidents, such as those surrounding the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019 and the 2020 general election, where eight individuals lost their lives.
For Dr. Ahmed, this fear serves as a major “damper” on civic freedoms enshrined in Ghana’s Constitution.
Government’s Reluctance to Support Citizen Protests
When asked if the government deliberately seeks to discourage citizen involvement in governance, Dr Ahmed clarified that while there may not be an overt policy to restrict engagement, protests are certainly uncomfortable for civilian government.
This discomfort, he explained, is rooted in Ghana’s political history, where demonstrations were used as the basis to topple civilian government through military interventions.
“Also, after the transition in 1992, protests have been used to make democratic or civilian governments unpopular and prepare them for electoral defeat. It is not necessarily the numbers coming out to protest, but the public opinion that is being created by the demonstrators.
“Their arguments, and engagement with the media, and engagement with the rest of the population through the media, and the messages sent out, push the government on the defence in terms of its image, in terms of its consolidation of power. So all governments in Ghana have always been weary of demonstrations and protests because of the fear of the erosion of the popularity and consolidation of political power”.
Dr Abdul Hakim Ahmed, a political science lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
Accountability and the Shrinking Civic Space
According to Dr. Ahmed, the limited space for civic expression has strained the relationship between citizens and public officials, undercutting accountability and responsiveness.
He described a concerning cycle where authorities curb demonstrations and suppress dissent, they simultaneously embolden public officials to operate with impunity, especially in matters of corruption, mismanagement, and environmental degradation, such as illegal mining.
“Without accountability from the citizenry, these issues continue unchecked, creating a culture of impunity that erodes the core values of democratic governance”, he warned.
Dangers of Suppressing Dissent
Moreover, Dr Abdul Hakim Ahmed cautioned that forcing citizens to suppress their grievances has dangerous consequences, asserting that the act of protesting serves as a pressure valve, allowing individuals to express and release discontent.
“If people are denied this outlet,” he argued, “it only leads to a buildup of anger, which, left unaddressed, can eventually erupt in unpredictable and potentially destructive ways.”
The Impending Risk to Ghana’s Democratic Future
Looking toward the future, Dr. Abdul Hakim Ahmed voiced serious concerns about Ghana’s democratic trajectory if these issues remain unaddressed.
He warned that unchecked impunity and environmental crises tied to galamsey could destabilize the political system.
“If people can’t get water and you have children dying due to the effect of illegal mining or you have children born with disfigured bodies because of the effect of illegal mining, the water that we are drinking is contaminated, and food that we are eating also contaminated.
“There is nothing that can be worse on the political process than this. There’s nothing that can be done conceivably that can be worse than some of these things. And you are having impunity on all those issues. Then we are in for a bigger problem ahead”.
Dr Abdul Hakim Ahmed, a political science lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba
Proposals for Safeguarding Civic Engagement
To rebuild active civic engagement, Dr Ahmed called for a renewed commitment to upholding Ghana’s constitutional protections for free expression and peaceful protest.
“The laws protecting free expression are in place, but they must be allowed to function without obstruction”, he stressed. Dr. Ahmed also advocated for civil society organizations (CSOs) to intensify public education efforts and continue advocating for citizen rights.
Their role, he suggested, is pivotal in raising awareness and mobilizing support for civic freedoms. “CSOs should persist in pressuring the government to respect citizens’ rights to participate in governance,” he remarked.
Similarly, he urged citizens to recognize the importance of their role in safeguarding democracy, encouraging them to stay informed and demand accountability at all levels.
In Dr. Ahmed’s view, Ghana’s democratic health depends on the active participation of its people. “Without the involvement of its citizens,” he warned, “society loses a vital ingredient necessary for sustainable development and governance.”
His words underscore a pressing need for introspection and action to bridge the growing void between citizens and state, ensuring that democracy in Ghana not only survives but thrives.
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