President John Mahama has called on political leaders and public officials to resist the temptation of partisanship, authoritarianism, and impunity, stressing that true democracy requires humility in governance and putting the people’s interest above all else.

He made the remarks at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, September 2, when the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, led a delegation to announce the commencement of the 2025 edition of the Democracy Cup.

Democracy Beyond Elections

The President reminded leaders that democracy goes beyond periodic elections and must be anchored on accountability, fairness, justice, and the rule of law. He emphasised that strong, transparent, and independent institutions remain the foundation of any thriving democracy.

“Democracy is not merely about elections, it’s about accountability, it is about inclusion, it is about fairness and justice. It is about creating a society where every Ghanaian can aspire and achieve regardless of their background,” Mahama stated.

He added: “As leaders, we must be reminded that democracy thrives only when institutions are strong, transparent and independent. We must resist the temptation of partisanship, authoritarianism and impunity. Our duty is to govern with humility and place the interest of the people above all else. As citizens, democracy requires our vigilance and our participation. It calls on us to hold leaders accountable, to reject violence, to value diversity and defend the freedoms that others before us struggled to secure.”

The President’s remarks came less than 24 hours after he removed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office on grounds of stated misbehaviour, following recommendations of a committee that investigated a petition for her removal.

Democracy Cup and National Unity

For his part, Speaker Alban Bagbin announced that part of the proceeds from the Democracy Cup would go into professional FIFA-certified training for physical education teachers in Senior High Schools across all constituencies.

The Democracy Cup, which began in 2024, uses sports—particularly football—as a platform to promote democratic values and strengthen national cohesion.