Democracy is not just a system of Governance, but a practice – Kathleen Addy

Democracy, beyond being a system of governance, is a practice that requires active participation by members of the society who have chosen to adopt it. This is according to the Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms. Kathleen Addy. She made this statement at the 2024 edition of the Annual Conference of Society of Catholic Social Scientists.

Addressing the participants on the topic, “Civic Engagement: Voting, Participating in Democracy, and Staying Informed, Mad. Kathleen pointed out it has been proven by far, that Democracy is the most effective system that makes room for citizen participation towards the overall advancement of a country.

While instilling confidence in the audience and assuring them of the benefits of Democracy, the Chairman indicated, Democracy thrives when the adopters exhibit a keen interest in the system, especially through voting to elect leaders to take up the mantle and steer the affairs of a state.

She also called on the attendees to endeavour to make adequate use of the internet, as it is awash with a plethora of information, but cautioned that they ensure to sieve through the contents thereon to ascertain the facts as against false statements that seek to denigrate the reputation of others or with an agenda to compromise the serenity that hovers in our country.

Ms. Addy was however quick to speak against the simmering wish that Ghana joins its counterparts in the West African Subregion such as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali who have opted for military rule, stating that a coup has a greater tendency to usurp the freedom that democracy bequeaths to its practitioners in the provisions of the Constitution. She thus advised members of the Society to acquaint themselves with same in order to learn of their rights, responsibilities, what to expect from leaders of the State, and the processes to demanding accountability.

The two-day conference, which took place at the Catholic Institute of Business and Technology in Adabraka, was themed, “The Voice of the People: Elections for a More Responsive Government.”

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