Ghana’s Democracy Is Morphing into a Political Clan System

Ghana has long been hailed as a beacon of democracy in West Africa. This country transitioned peacefully from military rule to constitutional governance, with regular elections and a vocal civil society. But beneath this democratic surface, a dangerous trend is emerging: the transformation of democracy into a political clan system.

Our democracy is being used not to empower the people but to entrench political networks built on loyalty and patronage. We are witnessing the rise of what many call the “Godfather syndrome.” Political power is increasingly centralised by a few party elites who reward loyalty with state appointments, leaving competence, inclusion, and fairness by the wayside.

The executive’s power to appoint over 4,000 individuals to public office without checks and balances is a core concern. These appointments often ignore national representation or merit-based criteria, instead serving party interests. Government jobs have become rewards for political foot soldiers and constituency executives, rather than roles filled through transparent and competitive processes.

This system fuels disillusionment. Young people, the majority of Ghana’s population, are sidelined unless they submit to party structures. The very masses who chant slogans, attend rallies, and vote in numbers are excluded from the benefits of the system they help sustain. Without real opportunity, many youths are turning to destructive coping mechanisms. The rise in streetism and drug abuse, most notably the alarming use of tramadol, codeine and most recently ‘RED’ among unemployed youth, is a clear signal of a generation in crisis. These are not just social issues but symptoms of a deeper political failure. When the state abandons its young, frustration breeds despair, and despair eventually explodes—either quietly in addiction or loudly in unrest.

So, how can the system change?
The youth of Ghana must rise—not in violence but in organised, principled resistance to injustice. It is time for a full-blown national demand for equity and reform. We must call for a depoliticisation of state institutions, public sector reform, and a merit-based system for recruitment and appointments. Civil society must intensify pressure on the government to decentralise power and enforce accountability.

Democracy should not be a tool for building dynasties. It should be a system that guarantees opportunity and representation for all. Until we confront the patronage culture embedded in our politics, we will keep circling the same mountain, expecting different results.

Ghana’s democratic legacy is worth fighting for. But if we do not act decisively and collectively, we risk waking up to find we have democracy in name, but a clan system in practice. The youth must lead this awakening—not with apathy or anger, but with resolve, vision, and a demand for a better Ghana.

Isaac Ofori
Social Activist and Human Rights Advocate
[email protected]