By Vivian Amoah
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Policy Engagement and Advocacy at CDD-Ghana, has raised concerns about the growing threat of entrenched political capture undermining Ghana’s democratic institutions, calling for urgent reforms to protect accountability and citizen trust in governance.
Speaking at the launch of the Democracy Capture Index (DCI) in Accra on Monday, Dr. Asante highlighted how unchecked political financing, weak institutions, and elite networks were slowly eroding the democratic gains Ghana has made over the past three decades.
“Democracy is captured when the rules of the game are systematically skewed to benefit a few, while ordinary citizens are left without meaningful representation or accountability,” Dr. Asante stated. “We are witnessing a dangerous concentration of power and resources in the hands of political and economic elites.”
“Citizens need to understand that democracy capture is not abstract. It affects how schools are funded, how healthcare is delivered, and whether justice is accessible to all,” he explained.
The speech also emphasized the role of civil society and an informed citizenry in resisting democracy capture, urging journalists to investigate elite networks that manipulate public procurement, electoral processes, and the misuse of state resources.
“Ghana’s democracy is resilient, but it is not immune. We need collective vigilance and institutional reforms to reclaim democratic accountability for citizens,” he concluded.
The launch event drew participation from anti-corruption advocates, political party representatives, academics, and development partners, who praised the Democracy Capture Index as a timely tool to monitor Ghana’s democratic health ahead of the 2026 general elections.
