Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has impressed on African leaders to uphold the tenets of democracy by reaffirming their commitment to individual freedoms and economic growth. He said there is the need to also strengthen the Continent’s democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law, and create an environment where every African can live a decent life.
Dr. Bawumia was speaking at the on-going Democratic Union of Africa, DUA in Accra. He said through their collective efforts, Africa can be transformed into a beacon of democracy, stability, and prosperity whilst achieving the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Democratic Union of Africa (DUA), is an alliance of the centre-right political parties in Africa. It is also an affiliate regional body of the International Democrat Union.
DUA is focused on contributing to achieving a united, democratic, and prosperous Africa by advancing centre-right ideals on the continent.
In a keynote address on Strengthening Democratic Institution for Political Stability and Economic Emancipation, Vice President Bawumia noted that democracy and the rule of law create an environment where individual freedoms are protected, innovation thrives, and economic activities flourish.
He said Ghana’s journey towards democratic consolidation has not been without challenges, but successive governments commitment to upholding democratic principles has remained steadfast. Dr. Bawumia urged all political leaders and stakeholders to make democracy work, as the future of the continent depends on actions taken today.
Speaking on the Interplay of Democracy and Prosperity: Building a Thriving Nation, Former Chairman of DUA, Peter Mac Manu, said democracy creates a conducive environment for a peaceful transfer of power through peaceful elections, stressing that the role of democracy cannot be downplayed as it brings prosperity.
Co-Chairperson of the Democratic Union of Africa, Louisa Atta-Agyemang, highlighted some negative activities on the continent which threaten democracy.
The DUA forum was supported by the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation. Its Director, Regional Programme Political Dialogue, Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr Holger Dix intimated that the youth must be given the opportunity to participate and contribute to the political dispensation.
The five-day event brought together political representatives in Africa and other continents to chart a way forward to deepen democracy.
