Political parties dangerously eroding democracy – Adwoa Safo
Sarah Adwoa Safo, the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, has highlighted the danger posed by political parties to democratic societies, emphasizing that the relentless pursuit of power often leads to unethical tactics and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions.
She made these remarks at the World Political Leaders Summit 2024 in Athens, Greece, held under the theme ‘Democracy in the 21st Century’.
Adwoa Safo expressed concern that political parties, originally intended to represent diverse voices and uphold democracy, have instead become focused solely on winning elections. She noted that this pursuit of power often leads to the adoption of unethical tactics such as smear campaigns and spreading misinformation, which poison public discourse and deepen the gap between political entities and citizens.
According to her, these actions contribute to the polarization of society, which has dire consequences if left unchecked. She called for reforms to strengthen democratic institutions and emphasized the importance of free, fair, and transparent elections, as well as the need for laws on political funding to prevent undue influence by financiers.
Adwoa Safo also stressed the importance of investing in civic education and political literacy to empower citizens to actively participate in the democratic process. She urged civil society organizations to play a role in promoting a positive perception of politics among the youth, emphasizing that politics should be seen as a means of serving humanity and providing for the needs of the people.
During her participation in a panel discussion titled ‘The Perilous Grip: How Political Parties Threaten Democracy’, she underscored the importance of building strong institutions rather than relying on strong individuals, echoing former President Obama’s sentiments during his visit to Ghana in 2009.
Overall, Adwoa Safo emphasized the need for swift reforms to foster inclusive growth, social cohesion, and a healthier democratic environment.
