Elections and Democratic Development in Ghana: A Critical Analysis

This article examines Ghana’s efforts in advancing its democratic consolidation since the country transitioned from authoritarian regime to a multiparty democracy in 1992. At the center of this democratic development is the country’s conduct of successful multiparty elections, although these elections have often been characterized by irregularities. Given the upward trajectory of Ghana’s democracy through repetitive elections, the article draws on the concept of repetitive multiparty elections/democratization to examine whether Ghana’s efforts at democratic progress through repetitive elections, although deficient in some respects, have helped to advance the country’s democratic development or not. The significance of the article rests on the argument that the conceptual idea of repetitive multiparty elections, even when flawed, provides utility in the attempt to better understand the role of elections and democratic advancement in Ghana. Keywords: Ghana, Repetitive Multiparty Elections, Democratization, Democratic Development DOI : 10.7176/JESD/11-2-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2020