We have turned democracy upside down in Ghana — Elvis Darko

Managing Editor of the Newscaneta Newspaper, Elvis Darko, has argued that Ghana's democracy is failing because many citizens have misconstrued the concept of democracy as freedom from accountability rather than adherence to the rule of law.

His comments come amid ongoing public discussions about law enforcement, discipline and the need to ensure compliance with regulations to address challenges such as illegal construction, indiscipline and disregard for public order.

Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV's Breakfast Daily programme on Monday, July 13, Darko asserted that no society can function effectively if authorities are unwilling or afraid to enforce the laws.

"Democracy is about the rule of law. It's not about the disobedience of law. So if you are in a democracy and you are enforcing law, that is rather supposed to be democracy.

"But in this country, we have turned democracy upside down to mean that you don't have to obey the law because you are democratic and you are free to do anything you like, and nobody should be able to hold you accountable," he said.

According to him, societies that have achieved sustained development did so by consistently enforcing rules and imposing sanctions on those who breached them.

The journalist cited countries such as Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia as examples of states that transformed through strict adherence to laws and discipline.

"If the laws are there, and we can't apply the law, or we are scared of applying the law, or we just don't want to apply, how do we expect the citizens to conform? There is no way human beings will conform. No amount of education will make people conform if you don't apply sanctions and punishment," Darko stated.