This case study is part of a project on the state of democracy in Africa. See our other works from this project.
This study analyzes Ghana’s democratic trajectory under the Fourth Republic, focusing on the extent of democratic consolidation, the sources of its resilience, and emerging threats. While Ghana earns high marks in international democracy indices, much of this reflects the strength of its liberal institutions rather than deep-rooted electoral democratic norms. Despite regular multiparty elections, political elites often rely on undemocratic practices, and the dominant parties function more as patronage networks than democratic organizations. Consequently, party membership and activism are driven more by patronage than by policy commitments, weakening parties’ roles as institutions of democratic accountability. At the population level, although most Ghanaians express support for democracy, survey evidence reveals weak commitment to core liberal principles. A sizable minority approve of authoritarian policies, such as restrictions on the media or non-electoral leadership selection. These dynamics reveal vulnerabilities in both elite and citizen support for democracy. To safeguard democratic resilience, reforms must strengthen party finance regulation, promote internal party democracy, and deepen civic engagement and liberal norms.
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