Goodluck Jonathan raises alarm on Africa’s democratic decline ahead of 2025 dialogue in Ghana, urging urgent reforms
Goodluck Jonathan has issued a stark warning about the gradual erosion of democratic norms across Africa, ahead of the 2025 edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue scheduled for September 17 in Accra, Ghana.
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Speaking through his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, the former Nigerian president emphasized that this year’s theme, “Why Democracies Die,” was carefully chosen to reflect growing concern over political instability, weakened institutions, and the fading rule of law in many African countries.
The high-level event will bring together influential African statesmen, including former Ghanaian President John Mahama, Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.
The keynote address will be delivered by Bishop Matthew Kukah, known for his vocal advocacy on governance and equity.
Obasanjo is expected to chair the dialogue, which is now in its fourth year.
It began in 2021 as a forum for assessing democratic sustainability and its real-world impact on citizens across West Africa.
According to Eze, the goal is not just to critique governance but to propose constructive solutions that can arrest the ongoing decline.
“We need to shine a spotlight on why our democracies are struggling,” Eze said.
“The 2025 dialogue will examine how to rebuild public trust and strengthen institutions before it’s too late.”
Past editions have focused on education, innovation, and nation-building.
In 2024, keynote speaker Prof. Olubayi Olubayi argued for elite research-driven universities to anchor Africa’s development, sparking widespread conversation.
Jonathan’s foundation continues to position itself as a hub for solution-driven conversations on democracy and development, and the upcoming event reflects that commitment.
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As Africa navigates complex political transitions, the 2025 dialogue is expected to offer insightful and bold perspectives on what it will take to restore democratic confidence.
