Louisa Atta-Agyemang, co-chair of the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA) and Ghanaian political leader, has condemned the recent resurgence of military coups across sub-Saharan Africa.
Speaking at the DUA Forum 2024 opening ceremony in Accra, Atta-Agyemang underscored the urgent need for immediate and unified action to address the escalating instability in the region.
Since August 2020, six power shifts have occurred unconstitutionally in Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea, Chad, and Mali, with two additional thwarted coup attempts in Niger and Guinea-Bissau.
Atta-Agyemang described these events as a grave threat to democratic governance, calling for a robust response to fortify democratic institutions and prevent further disruptions.
“Our mission at the Democrat Union of Africa is to advocate for democratic governance, uphold the rule of law, and promote political stability across the continent,” Atta-Agyemang said.
“We must stand firm against actions that undermine these principles and work collectively to foster environments where democracy can thrive.”
She emphasized the importance of deepening democracy to address Africa’s development challenges, highlighting the forum’s theme, “Strengthening Democratic Institutions for Political Stability: Crafting Africa’s Response.”
Atta-Agyemang urged African leaders to create opportunities that empower the youth and drive the continent’s development.
Atta-Agyemang urged African leaders to create opportunities that empower the youth and drive the continent’s development.
This could be achieved through policies that promote education, job creation, and entrepreneurship.
“The world is at a crossroads, particularly for Africa. We have a unique opportunity to shape our future by creating jobs, developing robust healthcare systems, and ensuring a promising future for the next generation,” she added.
Atta-Agyemang also criticized recent constitutional changes in Togo, which she believes undermine democratic principles.
Atta-Agyemang also criticized the recent constitutional changes in Togo, which she believes undermine democratic principles.
The recent amendment in Togo, which removes citizens’ right to vote directly for the president and establishes a new powerful executive position, is a clear example of the fragility of democratic institutions in some parts of our continent.
Atta-Agyemang praised Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in her speech for his leadership and commitment to the youth. She also acknowledged the support of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for their contributions to the forum’s success.
The forum, which brought together political parties from across Africa, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in Uganda, the Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa, and the Popular Democratic Movement in Namibia, aims to share best practices and strategies for fortifying democratic institutions on the continent.
