The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) yesterday launched its International Desk to address the role of foreign influence in West African governance.
The objective of the Desk is track, analyze global, continental, and regional geopolitical trends, assessing their impacts on democratic governance, civic space, and Inclusive development across Africa.
The launch, part of a regional convening on foreign powers, interests and impacts, brought together diplomats, experts and civil society leaders to examine how foreign actors shape democratic governance and how local institutions can resist malign influence.
Speaking at the event, Ghana’s special envoy to the alliance of Sahel States, Ambassador Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, emphasized the need for a regional security mechanism focused on direct protection, institutional empowerment, and collaborative governance.
He stressed that any such approach must prioritize the needs of citizens, not elites or foreign powers.
According to him, the security mechanism should support democratic institutions like the judiciary, establish common democratic governance standards, and promote regional economic resilience while ensuring transparency in security partnerships.
He added that West African countries must ensure that democratic systems were locally owned, maintain strategic independence in international engagements, and evaluate foreign partnerships by their impact on citizens’ welfare.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, said captured liberal democracy and widespread governance failures have led to public disillusionment.
“Corruption, economic mismanagement, weak service delivery, and constitutional manipulation have broken the social contract in many states.” he said
Dr Musah criticized the weaponization of the judiciary and security forces to suppress dissent, noting these as reasons cited by some militaries for overthrowing governments.
He urged member states to commit to the ECOWAS protocols that promote constitutional order and democratic transitions.
Dr Musah noted that while many countries have embraced democracy, some leaders have used the judiciary and security forces to maintain power unconstitutionally.
This, he said, has contributed to growing public discontent and military interventions in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
He called African countries to embrace homegrown democratic models, invest in youth empowerment, and prioritize inclusive development.
However, for democracy to survive and thrive, he said countries must resist external manipulation, uphold constitutional norms, and ensure that international partnerships benefit ordinary citizens rather than political elites.
Dr Musah was optimistic that the international desk would serve as a key player in helping to shape international cooperation that respects Africa’s sovereignty and strengthens democratic resilience.
Dr Kojo Asante, Director of Policy Engagement at CDD-Ghana, explained that the new International Desk would track geopolitical trends, analyze their impact on governance and development, and advocate for Africa’s voice in global affairs.
He noted that the centre has already begun efforts through its democracy capture index and the West Africa democracy solidarity network, aimed at countering democratic backsliding.
According to Dr Asante, one of the key goals of the International Desk is to build citizen awareness and engagement, especially in the post-COVID period where democratic norms have weakened globally.
He said citizens must understand their rights and demand accountability from their leaders.
He also mentioned that the centre would expand its technical support across West Africa, helping countries strengthen their institutions and protect civic space.
BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG
