Full Text: Akufo-Addo’s address to mark the 30th anniversary of the 4th Republic
Brother Ghana,
It has been said it’s “ddemocracy is the worst form of government, apart from all others. We, in Ghana, should know, because we have tried almost everything else. We have held elections that were not free and fair; we have a constitutional regime with no restrictions placed on executive power; we have rules by law without the rule of law; and we have lived under several military dictatorships.
As us demonstrated in the drive towards independence in the 1940s and 1950s, us show again in the 1990safter the turbulent early decades of our national life, usdetermination to live in a state of freedom and democracy. So wlike that oNo. 28Th April 1992, some thirty one (31) years ago, we approved, by an overwhelming margin in that day’s Referendum, with three million, four hundred and eight thousand, one hundred and nineteen (3,408,119) people, representing 92.59%, supported, with two hundred and seventy-two thousand, eight hundred and fifty-five (272,855) people against, which is only 7.41 %, adoption of the provisions of the Constitution 4Th Republic, which set up liberal democratic state institutions, operating on the basis of separation of powers, with real guarantee of basic human rights. Thus, it was announced with overwhelming and popular support.
tomorrow, Saturday, 7Th January 2023, will be exactly thirty (30) years since Constitution 4Th The Republicans came in force, with the inauguration as the first president in the 4Th Republic, Mr Ethe late xcellency Jerry John Rawlings. mealready inspired the longest period of stable constitutional government in our history, with emerging consensus strong that at democratic form of government is preferred, and the benefits that show. Hence the decision to celebrate 7Th January is Constitution Day.
This is our country considered a beacon of democracy and stability in Africa, where respect for the principles of democratic accountability, human rights and the rule of law has been able to oversee eight (8) presidential elections in 4Th Republicans, with five (5) presidential transitions, and three (3) peaceful transfers of power, through the ballot box, from one party to another. We have the right to be proud of this, and tHe is celebrating his 30th birthdayTh 4th anniversaryTh Republicans should inspire us, even more, to along this status.
Ghanaians, I confess the strength of any democracy is determined by the credibility of the electoral process, and respect for the will of the people.We cannot ignore the fact that instability followed disputed elections in many parts of the African continent.
That’s why usin Ghana, it must continue to urge on The Electoral Commission to work to ensure that all stakeholders in the electoral process, namely citizens, civil society and political parties, do not have lingering questions about the legitimacy of the election. On two (2) occasions where there is a dispute about the result the president election, happily it is in the court, and not in the streets, that issue they are satisfied to be solved.
By all accounts, wit’s far away, andwe should not take it for granted everyonein Ghana have accepted democracy as their preferred mode of government. There are those who prefer to have authoritarian rule, because they claim that our country is underdeveloped and that democracy is complicated, and we need to solve it quickly. We still have some work to do to convince such people that we are all safer in a democracy.
However, if we seek to prolong our democratic journey, it is mandatory we promote transparency and accountability in our governance structure, and build strong institutions that can fight corruption and waste of public funds. I said, without any form of equivocation, that mThe government has undertaken, perhaps, the most daring initiative since independence to reform and strengthen the capacity of our institutions to tackle corruption in the public sector, including the financial empowerment of anti-corruption agencies, the implementation of the Right to Information Law, which the previous administration could not do, with Establishment of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, an independent, non-partisan body, with relevant professional capabilities and an exclusive mandate to investigate and prosecute acts of corruption.
As President of the Republic, I assure youoobligations to our children and grandchildren,and to the generations yet unborn, my government will not give up when it comes to deepening our democracy and ensure the integrity of the election processand so are you Ghanaians. We do not have to look far back into history to see that a stable period of constitutional government and intelligent economic management led to prosperity. We must do everything in our power to preserve our democracy.
Ttomorrow milestones are to your great credit, Ghanaians, ordinary men and women who create our nation. Thirty (30) years ago, all of us decided to build, according to God, a united nation, based on the values of democracy and the rule of law. We have it very advanced in realized this visionand I am confident that, with the spirit of fairness, hard work, integrity and reconciliation, the best days of Mother Ghana lie ahead of us.
Even though we are facing difficulties now in our economic performanceI don’t doubt us collective decided to work our wayout of this challenge, and put our nation back to the the path of progress and prosperity. Let’s gotherefore, continue work to create a platform for the evolution of a new Ghanaian civilization, which will give true meaning to the fundamental values of freedom and justice for which our nation lives. born.
Long live Constitution Day, Long live Ghana’s democracy,
long Live that 4Th Republic.
I am very gratefuland good evening.
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