The Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development – Ghana (CDD-Ghana), Professor Kwasi Prempeh, has urged leaders to show more commitment and dedication to democracy.

“Most citizens in West Africa feel left out in democracy, as some governments and leaders circumvent constitutions to abuse power so leadership and civil society organisations should show commitment and determination in upholding democratic governance,” he noted.

According to him, West African leaders and civil society organisations should show commitment dedication and be determined to upholding democracy in the sub-region and not be complacent about the “few” gains made in the practice.

Professor Prempeh made the call on the sidelines of the launch of the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) and Conference on Countering Threats to Democracy in West Africa.

The WADEMOS is a civil society network, committed, dedicated and determined to strengthen and protect democracy in the West African sub-region and the launch also marked the commemoration of International Day of Democracy by the United Nations.

Professor Prempeh, who is also Project Director of WADEMOS, indicated that majority of the citizenry wanted more from democracy and not just in the area of voting and elections and most of them were feeling betrayed due to the undemocratic practices of some governments and leaders.

He stressed on the need for leaders not be complacent for citizens to feel betrayed but be dedicated and committed to democratic governance so that they would not see democracy as voting and elections.

He asked West African leaders to uphold the principles of democracy which included fairness, firmness, transparency, probity, accountability and tenure of office and disclosed that the network intended to mobilise and coordinate the region’s prodemocracy civil society organisations to help stem democratic challenges by complementing the works of governments and regional organisations in that regard.