Democracy in practice: Civil Society perspectives on the performance and constraints of Ghana’s Fourth Republican Democracy in the Tamale Metropolis
Résumé
This study examined Ghana’s Fourth Republican democracy from the perspective of civil society in the Tamale Metropolis, focusing on democratic performance, citizen participation, and governance quality. A qualitative case study design was used to capture rich, contextual insights, using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Twenty (20) participants were purposively sampled for their extensive knowledge and experience of Ghana’s democratic system since 1992, ensuring depth and diversity of perspectives. The results indicate that, while Ghana has maintained political stability, regular elections, and peaceful power transitions, the substantive quality of democracy remains uneven. The multi-party system, dominated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), promotes competition and accountability but is constrained by political polarisation, ethnic voting patterns, and executive overreach. Civil society actors play a critical role in promoting accountability, civic engagement, and oversight, although resource constraints and partisan influence limit their impact. Anchored in the Participatory Theory of Democracy, the study recommends that judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, civic education, and participatory platforms are essential for consolidating democracy, increasing citizen trust, and promoting inclusive and responsive governance.
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