Democracy in practice: Civil Society perspectives on the performance and constraints of Ghana’s Fourth Republican Democracy in the Tamale Metropolis

Democracy in practice: Civil Society perspectives on the performance and constraints of Ghana’s Fourth Republican Democracy in the Tamale Metropolis

Adams Sulemana Achanso , Kingsford Gyasi Amakye & Zakaria Hamza

Issue: Vol. 7 No.5 2026 Article 6 pp.1243 – 1255
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026756 Published online 23rd June 2026

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ABSTRACT

This study examined Ghana’s Fourth Republican democracy from the perspective of civil society in the Tamale Metropolis, focusing on democratic performance, citizen participation, and governance quality. A qualitative case study design was used to capture rich, contextual insights, using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Twenty (20) participants were purposively sampled for their extensive knowledge and experience of Ghana’s democratic system since 1992, ensuring depth and diversity of perspectives. The results indicate that, while Ghana has maintained political stability, regular elections, and peaceful power transitions, the substantive quality of democracy remains uneven. The multi-party system, dominated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), promotes competition and accountability but is constrained by political polarisation, ethnic voting patterns, and executive overreach. Civil society actors play a critical role in promoting accountability, civic engagement, and oversight, although resource constraints and partisan influence limit their impact. Anchored in the Participatory Theory of Democracy, the study recommends that judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, civic education, and participatory platforms are essential for consolidating democracy, increasing citizen trust, and promoting inclusive and responsive governance.

Keywords: Ghana, Fourth Republic, Participatory Democracy, Civil Society, Democratic Governance.

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ABOUT AUTHOR(S)

Prof. Adams Sulemana Achanso is an Associate Professor of Social Policy and the Dean of the Faculty of Sustainable Development Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana. He is an accomplished scholar and academic leader with extensive expertise in education policy reforms, governance and development, and international political economy and Africa. Prof. Achanso has contributed significantly to teaching, research, and academic administration, with a strong focus on strengthening democratic institutions, local governance systems, and development practice in Africa. As Dean, he provides strategic leadership in curriculum development, research coordination, and faculty development, advancing UDS’s mandate of applying knowledge to address development challenges in underserved communities.

Dr. Kingsford Gyasi Amakye is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Sustainable Development Studies, University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana, and the Coordinator of the Gender and Development Studies Programme. His research focuses on governance, community development, and development communication, with particular emphasis on participatory approaches, institutional accountability, and inclusive development. Dr Amakye is actively engaged in teaching, research, and academic service and has contributed to policy-relevant scholarship and community-based development initiatives aimed at promoting gender equity and strengthening democratic governance.

Mr. Zakaria Hamza is an alumnus of the Faculty of Sustainable Development Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana. He received academic training in Development Education with a focus on community-based development. His scholarly interests include participatory development, institutional accountability, and grassroots approaches to social and economic transformation. Through his coursework and field-based learning, he developed practical insights into development challenges and the role of local institutions in promoting inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.

TO CITE ARTICLE

Achanso, Adams Sulemana, Kingsford Gyasi Amakye and Zakaria Hamza. “Democracy in practice: Civil Society perspectives on the performance and constraints of Ghana’s Fourth Republican Democracy in the Tamale Metropolis.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 7, no.5 (2026): 1143 – 1255. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2026756