Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Ghana's former Electoral Commission Chairman, has called for a collective effort towards good governance as a pathway to achieving democracy.

Addressing the Men's Fellowship of Ridge Church in Accra, Dr. Afari-Gyan pointed out that while elections are crucial, they must be followed by good governance to truly advance democratic ideals.

In his speech, titled Elections, Governance, and Democracy, Dr. Afari-Gyan described democracy as a place where civil liberties, political rights, and socio-economic well-being are promoted.

He emphasised that good governance requires the participation of all institutions, including the three branches of government—the legislature, executive, and judiciary—as well as civil society organisations and the media.

"Good governance defies a clear-cut definition, but it can be recognized by its respect for civil liberties, responsiveness to the needs of the people, control of corruption, and promotion of socio-economic well-being," he said.

Dr. Afari-Gyan called for the media and civil society to act as watchdogs, exposing corruption and holding public officials accountable.

However, he also acknowledged the challenges of holding non-elected officials, such as judges and members of the Electoral Commission, accountable, calling it a "problematic" area in democratic governance.

Nonetheless, he urged voters to use elections to hold their leaders accountable for their performance in delivering the benefits of democracy.

Dr. Afari-Gyan concluded by reminding the audience that democracy is not a fixed station but an evolving journey aimed at improving the human condition.

He called for patience and persistence, stating, "Given a choice, I believe that people will prefer to live in a democracy than under any form of authoritarian rule."

The event at Ridge Church provided a platform for Dr. Afari-Gyan to reflect on his decades of experience in Ghana's electoral system and his vision for the future of governance and democracy in the country.