Accra: A new report by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has highlighted 'worrying levels' of democracy capture across various African nations.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Democracy Capture (DECAM) Index Report, presented at a workshop in Accra, revealed that 60 percent of agencies in ten African countries are experiencing some form of democracy capture. The study evaluated 370 institutions and agencies in Botswana, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Benin, Tanzania, and DR Congo.
The DECAM Report defines state capture as a situation where a select few within a democratic system systematically exploit institutions, processes, and the benefits of democratic governance. Botswana and Senegal showed low levels of capture, between 19 and 25 percent, while South Africa and Ghana registered medium levels between 28 and 35 percent. Nigeria and Mozambique, however, demonstrated high levels of capture, ranging from 66 to 71 percent. Furthermore, Kenya, Benin, Tanzania, and DR Congo exhibited very high levels, with ratings between 76 and 100 percent.
In several democracies studied, including Benin, DR Congo, Senegal, and Nigeria, the Report identified the Chief Executive (president) as the primary perpetrator of democracy capture. It cautioned that no country is immune to this phenomenon and recommended developing tools to combat it.
Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, a Democracy and Development Fellow at CDD-Ghana, noted that perpetrators use democracy capture to limit democracy, block reforms, cover up illegality, and implicate illegality. He emphasized the vulnerability of democracies to ongoing or future capture, with 56 percent of currently unaffected agencies at risk.
In Ghana, Dr. Osae-Kwapong urged the exploration of vulnerable institutions and the implementation of policy reforms to fortify them against undue influence. He highlighted the ongoing constitutional reforms as a timely opportunity to address the issues outlined in the report.
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at CDD-Ghana, described the Report as a strategic effort to counter the decline of democracy in Africa. He called on civil society organizations and stakeholders to unite in opposing authoritarianism in the region.
