The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is urging African leaders to prioritize citizen empowerment as a crucial step towards entrenching democracy and driving economic development on the continent.
He said this when speaking at the Democratic Union of Africa (DUA) Annual Forum in Accra.
The forum, which brought together leaders and stakeholders from across Africa, provided a platform for Vice President Bawumia to emphasize the intrinsic link between democracy, rule of law, and economic development.
He stressed that democracy and the rule of law create an environment where individual freedoms are protected, innovation thrives, and economic activities flourish.
However, Vice President Bawumia noted that for democracy to truly take root, African leaders and governments must prioritize citizen empowerment.
He called on his fellow leaders to focus on empowering citizens through education, quality healthcare, promotion of free enterprise and individual liberties, digitalization, and closer cooperation among nations.
By empowering citizens, Vice President Bawumia argued that African countries can create an environment where citizens are equipped to participate fully in the democratic process and contribute to the economic development of their countries.
He emphasized that citizen empowerment is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one, as empowered citizens are more likely to innovate, start businesses, and create jobs, leading to economic growth and prosperity.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also highlighted the importance of digitalization in enhancing transparency and efficiency in governance.
However, he noted that by leveraging technology, governments can improve service delivery, reduce corruption, and increase citizen participation in the democratic process.
-BY Daniel Bampoe