La stabilité démocratique: Une solution pour la consolidation de la paix en Afrique de l’ouest – Le cas du Ghana. (Democratic Stability as a Necessity for Peace Consolidation in West Africa: Ghana’s Experience)
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Date
2015
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Gorée Institute
Abstract
The political evolution of Ghana adequately shows a direct link between democratic stability and the consolidation of peace. Frequent coups d’état in Ghana corresponded with a period of authoritarianism of military regimes. Over the past twenty years in Ghana, democratization has made it possible to observe a real consolidation of peace. The press has played an important role in this process by closely monitoring public officials, public expenditures and human rights issues in an environment that has progressed from various forms of state control and extreme centralization of the media to liberalization and a pluralistic system characterized by high degrees of media freedom. Ghana’s example shows that there is virtually no viable alternative to democracy having experimented with both one-party and military dictatorial rule. A strengthened constitution could address important structural weaknesses in Ghana’s political system and enhance its democratic tradition and culture.Multiple, independent and diverse media, an independent judiciary, vibrant civil society, free and transparent elections, respect for human rights, rule of law, transparency and accountability, inclusiveness and participation of the citizenry in national discourse provide healthy pointers.The consensual electoral system constitutes one of the foundations of democratic stability.
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Keywords
political evolution of Ghana,, democratic stability,, peace,, media liberalization,, pluralism,, military regimes,, mass media