Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s former Vice President, has warned that one of the most serious threats to African democracy today is the struggle for basic survival, which he refers to as “the Next Meal.”
He emphasized that the best form of democracy is one that not only looks after its citizens but also ensures that no one is left behind.
Speaking about how important it is for democratic governance to produce measurable results, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that democracy must actually improve people’s lives and not just be limited to institutional structures.
“We cannot talk about democracy in the abstract. It must be about outcomes that improve people’s lives,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
He cited the startling poverty figures in Sub-Saharan Africa, where two-thirds of the world’s population lives in extreme poverty, according to World Bank data.
According to Bawumia, these numbers highlight how urgent it is that African leaders address the continent’s escalating poverty crisis because doing otherwise jeopardizes not just the economy but also democracy itself.
“The priority for many Africans is survival. When people are struggling to secure their next meal, democracy becomes a secondary concern,” he explained.
“The best democracy is one that delivers on its promises,” he said. “When citizens do not have to worry about their survival, they can more fully embrace democratic values and engage meaningfully in the political process.”
“Only when people are assured of their basic needs can they fully embrace the values of democracy,” he concluded.
