President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that judicial independence and democratic institutions are increasingly under threat globally due to escalating executive interference and limitations on civil liberties.
During his address at the commencement of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, the President remarked that institutions previously regarded as global exemplars of democracy, justice, and the rule of law are experiencing a concerning decline.
He indicated that recent global events reveal a rise in executive overreach and a diminishing legislative authority, which are undermining democratic governance frameworks.
“Judiciaries are no longer independent…We observe executive overreach and a gradual erosion of legislative independence,” President Mahama expressed.
He pointed out that freedoms of speech, assembly, and protest are increasingly being restricted, which he described as a significant erosion of public trust in governments.
“Restrictions are being imposed on freedom of speech, assembly, and protest. There is a widespread loss of liberties and a notable decline in public confidence in governments,” he stated.
President Mahama also noted that advancements in technology have rendered global crises more interconnected, citing the swift spread of COVID-19 as an example of how events in one region can rapidly impact others.
He urged African nations to refrain from evaluating their democratic progress solely against Western benchmarks, emphasizing that current global trends should act as a wake-up call for countries to fortify their own institutions.
“The reality we face today should serve as a distinct call to action,” he concluded.
