Dean of the UPSA Law School, Prof Kofi Abotsi, has weighed in on the attendance of Burkina Faso's military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, at President John Mahama's inauguration on January 7, 2025.

Prof Abotsi highlighted the potential transformative impact of Traoré’s presence at the event.

“I guarantee you, if Traoré decides that he’s going to go civilian, it’s perhaps may be because he stood on the platform that advocated one thing, that the virtue of governments is made in a democracy,” Mr. Abotsi said on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, January 11.

He stressed the importance of engaging leaders like Traoré in platforms that promote democratic values rather than isolating them.

“You don’t change people from the outside. You get them involved,” he noted, suggesting that inclusion could be a catalyst for positive change in leadership approaches.

Captain Traoré, who seized power in a military coup in Burkina Faso in 2022, has faced criticism for his administration’s departure from democratic norms. His attendance at the inauguration of President Mahama, known for his commitment to democracy sparked mixed reactions across the region.

Some observers view Traoré’s presence as a signal of Ghana’s leadership in fostering dialogue and reform across West Africa. Others, however, argue that extending such invitations risks legitimising undemocratic regimes.