The Chief Executive Officer of HuD Group, Dr. Yaw Perbi, has highlighted critical issues concerning the practice of democracy in Ghana.

According to him, democracy cannot be deemed ineffective unless it is implemented correctly.

“We can’t say something doesn’t work, democracy in this instance, until we’ve worked it the way it must be worked,” he stated.

Drawing an analogy on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Dr. Perbi explained, “So somebody comes to buy an umbrella from me, and it rains. They get drenched and come back saying, ‘This thing doesn’t work.’ I ask, ‘What did you do with it when it was raining?’ and they reply, ‘I took it from my bag and held it up.’ I respond, ‘No, that is not how it works. You’ve got to unstrap it, press it to open, and then hold it up.’”

Using this analogy, he emphasised that democracy must be properly understood and practised.

• Read also: 9 in 10 Ghanaians believe that country is going in the wrong direction – Afrobarometer

He argued that the dissatisfaction with democracy might stem from a flawed implementation rather than the system itself.

“Maybe it is not democracy that people are rejecting, but something we think is democracy, but it is not,” he noted.

Citing the famous definition of democracy by Abraham Lincoln, the CEO questioned the current state of democracy in Ghana.

“‘Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.’ Is that what we have? Is it truly for the people if it’s only for those who can buy votes? Is it by the people, or is it for the family and friends of those who have managed to buy the votes?” he quizzed.

Addressing the issue of state capture, Dr. Perbi noted that the system appears to benefit those in power rather than the populace.

“Everyone is talking about state capture in Ghana, and clearly, our system is not for the people. It benefits those in power. So maybe we’re not practising true democracy.”

In view of this, he called for a thorough examination and restructuring of the democratic system in Ghana to ensure it truly serves the people.

“We need to do the hard work and find a type of democratic system that works for us,” he urged.

Ghana’s democratic practice has become topical following data from a recent Afrobarometer revealed that there has been a massive decline in democracy satisfaction among countries in Africa, with Ghana experiencing a double digit decline.

In 2011/2013, the percentage of Ghanaians that were satisfied with democracy stood at 74%, however, this year, satisfaction stands at 51%.