President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that judicial independence and democratic institutions are increasingly under threat worldwide, driven by growing executive interference and curbs on civil liberties.
Addressing the opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, he warned that institutions once regarded as global pillars of democracy, justice, and the rule of law are experiencing a troubling decline.
He highlighted a global trend of executive overreach and weakening legislative authority, which he said is eroding democratic governance.
“Judiciaries are no longer independent…We see executive overreach and a steady weakening of legislative independence,” Mahama remarked.
The President also pointed to increasing restrictions on freedoms of speech, assembly, and protest, contributing to a sharp drop in public trust in governments.
“Restrictions are being placed on freedom of speech, assembly and protest. There is a general loss of liberties and a sharp decline in public trust in governments,” he added.
Mahama further noted that technological progress has made global crises more interconnected, citing the rapid spread of COVID-19 as an example of how events in one region quickly impact others.
He urged African countries not to measure their democratic progress solely by Western standards, emphasizing that recent global developments should motivate nations to strengthen their own institutions.
“The reality we see today should serve as a clear call to action,” he concluded.