Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has issued a powerful appeal for African governments to adopt legally binding mechanisms that safeguard press freedom and protect the civic rights of marginalised groups.
Addressing the 13th High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance in Addis Ababa on 29 July 2025, President Mahama warned that democracy cannot thrive where fear and repression persist. He emphasised that inclusive governance and open civic space are foundational to the legitimacy and durability of African states.
Speaking under the theme “Justice, Right, Reparation, and State Building,” President Mahama urged African Union (AU) member states to move beyond aspirational declarations and implement concrete legal protections for journalists, protestors, women, youth, and minorities. He stated firmly that democracy must serve the entirety of a nation’s population, not a privileged few, and insisted on the necessity of civic inclusion to ensure meaningful governance. His remarks come amid a growing pattern of media crackdowns and civic space restrictions in parts of the continent.
The high-level forum, hosted by the African Union in collaboration with continental and international partners, convened a diverse group of stakeholders—including ministers, legal experts, civil society leaders, and youth representatives—to develop structural responses to Africa’s democratic challenges. This year’s dialogue placed particular focus on historical injustices, reparative justice, and institution-building aligned with the will of the people. The event is expected to yield a set of policy recommendations aimed at strengthening democratic resilience and human rights protections across the continent.