The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Christian Rogg, has warned that democracy is under threat, particularly in the West African subregion, which continues to grapple with violent extremism and insurgency.
His remarks follow the announcement by a group of military officers in Guinea-Bissau claiming to have seized power, as the country awaited the results of Sunday’s presidential election. The officers later appeared on national television, stating that they had suspended the voting process.
In response, the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), and the West African Elders Forum issued a joint statement expressing concern over the coup d’état following the presidential and legislative elections on 23rd November.
The statement called on the people of Guinea-Bissau to remain calm and emphasised: “We reaffirm our commitment to supporting the country on its democratic path. In this respect, we underscore the importance of preserving peace, stability, and the well-being of the Bissau-Guinean people during this sensitive period.”
Speaking to Blessed Sogah on Upfront on Joy News, Dr Rogg highlighted findings from the latest Afrobarometer survey, which showed a 20-point decline in democratic confidence among Ghanaians. He described these indicators as a worrying trend for democratic development.
Commenting on the implications of recent coups for Ghana and the broader region, Dr Rogg stated: “Democracy has been under threat across the world. In several countries that were once democratic, we have witnessed coups and the imposition of authoritarianism. Even in established democracies, rights have often been eroded.”
While he acknowledged Ghana’s achievements in consolidating democratic gains, Dr Rogg emphasised that democracy must be continually nurtured to reflect the aspirations of the people.
He pointed to the ongoing constitutional review in Ghana as a critical opportunity to assess whether the nation’s democratic institutions remain in step with contemporary realities. “Ghana’s progress is impressive, but it is important not to rest on those laurels and to explore what more can be done,” he said.
In related developments, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently announced plans to deploy an initial 1,650 personnel as part of its standby force to counter the growing terrorist threat across the subregion.
According to Dr Alieu Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, early-warning systems recorded 450 terrorist attacks and nearly 2,000 deaths in 2025 alone.
He warned that terrorist activity, once largely confined to the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, has now spread throughout West Africa, posing a direct challenge to regional stability.
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