Kofi Bentil, Vice-President of IMANI Africa and a senior lawyer, has issued a stark warning that Ghana's democracy faces a "creeping" threat. He stated that attacks on democratic systems rarely happen abruptly. Instead, the gradual erosion of constitutional freedoms and institutions could seriously undermine Ghana's stability.
Mr. Bentil's comments came during an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 8. He explained that democratic systems can weaken from within when laws and state institutions are slowly used in ways that contradict constitutional principles. This subtle manipulation, he argued, makes the threat harder to detect until significant damage has occurred.
This warning follows a "Democracy Under Attack" demonstration held on Thursday by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Accra. Thousands of NPP supporters protested what they described as threats to Ghana's democratic institutions under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration. The demonstration concluded with the NPP presenting a petition at Jubilee House, the seat of government, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and General Secretary Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Mr. Bentil urged Ghanaians not to dismiss concerns about democratic backsliding just because they appear as isolated incidents. He stressed that the erosion of democracy is often a slow process. This process can be difficult to identify until institutions have already been significantly weakened, making reversal challenging.
He referenced historical examples to support his argument, recalling a lecture he gave in Germany on the dangers of democratic backsliding. Mr. Bentil noted that figures like Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini used democratic principles to gain power. They then used state structures and laws to dismantle the very constitutional safeguards that brought them to office.
Mr. Bentil's argument highlights that democratic decline does not necessarily begin with the outright abolition of elections or the formal suspension of a constitution. Instead, it can start when institutions, laws, and established democratic practices are gradually manipulated or weakened. He emphasized that oppression often begins slowly, making vigilance crucial.
The IMANI Africa Vice-President also defended the vital role of activists and protesters in safeguarding democratic freedoms. He argued that citizens should respect people who participate in demonstrations, even if they disagree with their political views or specific demands. Activists, he stated, push the boundaries of freedom and democracy, thereby ensuring liberty for all.
Mr. Bentil asserted that activism should not be judged solely on public agreement with the message being advanced. He urged respect for those who put themselves on the line to advance democratic principles. He warned that Ghana faces a "creeping situation which can get worse" if concerns are ignored.
For Mr. Bentil, vigilance is particularly important because restrictions on democratic freedoms, once normalized, become increasingly difficult to reverse. He also shared his personal experience during the NPP demonstration, claiming he was assaulted by police officers near Jubilee House. This incident, he said, reinforced his belief in the importance of activism and peaceful protest as safeguards.
The senior lawyer also raised concerns about apparent selectivity in the administration of justice. He questioned why some individuals seem to receive "special treatment" compared to others facing similar circumstances. Mr. Bentil concluded that there appears to be some selectivity in justice, further highlighting the need for democratic vigilance.