Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has urged the citizenry to reclaim their role in shaping the country’s democracy and future prosperity.
He said as Ghana grapples with the challenges of polarisation and partisanship, stronger citizenship makes democracy thrive.
“When partisanship becomes stronger than patriotism, democracy suffers, but when citizenship becomes stronger than partisanship, democracy thrives,” Mr. Braimah made the remarks on Wednesday at the Akoto Ampaw Active Citizenship Dialogue 2026, held in Accra.
The forum, themed “Beyond the Ballot: Reclaiming Citizenship in a Polarized Ghana” and organised by the STAR-Ghana Foundation, emphasised the need for Ghanaians to move beyond voting and engage in community activities, hold leaders accountable, and contribute to policy debates.
It also had the goal of inspiring citizens to reflect on their roles and contributions to building a better society, encouraging a broader understanding of active citizenship.
Mr. Braimah said: “Active citizenship is not just a status; it’s a responsibility,” highlighting the importance of prioritising national interest over partisan agendas.
He encouraged young people particularly to take ownership of their role in shaping Ghana’s future. ”
The future of our democracy and our country should largely be shaped by today’s youth,” he emphasised.
The Executive Director of MFWA outlined practical ways to promote active citizenship to include engaging locally, focusing on issues rather than personalities, participating actively in governance, being responsible online, and living with responsibility.
He therefore urged the citizens to prioritize unity and social cohesion and build a nation to be proud of, adding that “let us rise and reclaim our citizenship beyond the ballots,” he said.
Madam Eunice Racheal Agbenyadzi, the Head of Programmes at STAR-Ghana Foundation, highlighted the importance of active citizenship and the role of the Foundation in promoting civic engagement and social accountability.
She explained that the Active Citizenship Dialogue, renamed after a former prominent activist and lawyer, Akoto Ampaw, served as a platform for citizens to share experiences and challenges in promoting democratic values.
“The active citizenship dialogue fosters understanding and confidence in civic engagement.
“It is a legacy of the activist who fought for civil liberties, resisting authoritarianism, and advocating for progressive democratic acts,” she said.
Madam Agbenyadzi noted that the event aimed to inspire citizens to take deliberate actions for the betterment of society, emphasising that active citizenship was not just an idea but a continuous practice.
While she highlighted the challenges of civic engagement in a polarised environment and the need for citizens to reclaim their role in shaping the country’s democracy.
She noted that sustaining civic touch and maintaining the momentum as well as engagement beyond the dialogue, there was the need to bridge political divides to address common concerns and demonstrate commitment to the public good in institutions, communities, and networks.
“The goal is to inspire collective action and strengthen democracy through principled leadership and civic engagement,” she said.
Mr. Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu, the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Madina, paid tribute to activist Akoto Ampaw, emphasising the importance of standing up for justice and integrity in advocacy work.
Mr Sosu noted that continuing the legacy of the activist, despite challenges and backlash, integrity was crucial for success in advocacy and help withstand pressure and scrutiny.
“Consistency and accountability are important for maintaining integrity and credibility,” he said.
Mr. Sosu highlighted the importance of staying true to one’s values and principles in the face of adversity.
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