Accra: Professor Takyiwaa Manuh, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana, has lauded Professor Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, founder of CDD, as an 'institution builder who needs to be celebrated while he is still alive.' Prof Manuh made these remarks during the launch of a 'Democracy Influencer Documentary' on Wednesday, aimed at honoring the life, work, and legacy of Prof Gyimah-Boadi.
According to Ghana News Agency, the 30-minute documentary offers an inspiring glimpse into Prof Gyimah-Boadi's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a pivotal figure in the movement for democratic reform and civic empowerment across Africa. The film highlights his contributions to establishing key democratic and governance institutions on the continent.
Prof Manuh emphasized that Prof Gyimah-Boadi's activism has been instrumental in the creation of significant organizations such as CDD-Ghana, the Integrity Initiative, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, the Afrobarometer, and the Coalition of Democratic Election Observers (CODEO). She stressed the importance of acknowledging such achievements, stating, 'In Ghana, we want to wait until people die before we celebrate them. I am happy we have celebrated Prof Gyimah-Boadi while he is still around.'
Despite expressing concerns over recent democratic backsliding in countries like Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Guinea, Prof Manuh noted the progress made in African democracy since the 1990s, referencing Afrobarometer data that shows strong popular support for democratic governance.
Prof Abdoul Karim Saidou, a Political Science Lecturer at Thomas Sankara University in Burkina Faso, also praised Prof Gyimah-Boadi as an inspiration to young Africans engaged in civil society. He described him as an intellectual committed to societal development, highlighting this as one of his most significant legacies.
In response, Prof Gyimah-Boadi expressed gratitude to the event organizers for recognizing his contributions. He attributed his successes to seizing opportunities and collaborating with young people who enhanced his technical and social understanding. Reflecting on his career, he stated, 'Having the right people around, enjoying the work that I do, and getting good outcomes for the most part, I am grateful for that.'
