Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has urged Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to actively protect the country’s democratic gains and promote a political culture rooted in tolerance, dialogue and respect for differing views.
She said Ghana’s more than three decades of constitutional rule, peaceful elections and successive transfers of political power had earned the country international recognition, but warned that such achievements could not be treated as permanent.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang made the call at the Jubilee House on Friday, August 28, when a parliamentary delegation led by First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor and Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror presented the Democracy Cup to her ahead of the upcoming match.
According to the Vice President, sustaining Ghana’s democracy required more than periodic elections, stressing the importance of credible electoral processes, accountable leadership, effective public institutions, respect for human rights and citizens’ confidence in democratic governance.
She said public officials had a responsibility to serve the entire population irrespective of political affiliation or personal beliefs.
“Those entrusted with public office have a duty to serve the whole country. Government must work for every Ghanaian, regardless of affiliation or beliefs,” she said.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang said the John Dramani Mahama administration remained committed to accountable governance, the rule of law and strengthening public institutions.
She also called for greater political tolerance, saying disagreements over national issues should not degenerate into personal hostility or violence.
“Our democracy must be sustained by the political culture we build around it. We must be able to disagree strongly without becoming enemies, to compete without destroying one another, and to accept that people who want the best for our country may disagree profoundly about how we get there,” she said.
Drawing parallels between football and democratic participation, the Vice President said differences in opinion were natural to both political and sporting competitions.
She explained that just as football fans could disagree over team selections and substitutions without becoming enemies, citizens should be able to hold divergent political opinions while maintaining mutual respect.
“In football, as in politics, we all have opinions about which team should have been selected and which substitution should have been made. This is as it should be,” she said.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang placed particular emphasis on the role of the youth in preserving Ghana’s democratic future.
She urged young Ghanaians to participate actively in national affairs, engage in constructive debate and express their views without resorting to violence or intolerance.
“Young Ghanaians should be able to participate fully in our national life, debate ideas rigorously, and make their voices heard without being drawn into violence and intolerance,” she said.
She congratulated Parliament for sustaining the Democracy Cup initiative, noting that sporting activities could provide a platform for promoting healthy competition, participation and democratic values.
The Vice President’s remarks come as Ghana continues to emphasise the importance of strengthening democratic institutions and political tolerance after more than three decades of constitutional governance.
