Political parties, judiciary must reform themselves to protect Africa’s democracy – Asiedu Nketia

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has called for fundamental reforms within political parties and the judiciary, arguing that the two institutions cannot protect African democracy if they lack credibility, accountability and public trust. According to him, political parties must move beyond functioning as electoral machines and become permanent democratic institutions, while the judiciary must remain independent and provide justice that is accessible, impartial, timely and credible. Mr Asiedu Nketia made the call on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, when he participated in the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, Nigeria.

The dialogue was held on the theme: “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?” Speaking on the panel on political parties and the judiciary and the need to rebuild trust in democratic institutions, Mr Asiedu Nketia said neither political parties nor the courts could save democracy merely by existing. “Political parties cannot save democracy when they function only as electoral machines, instruments of patronage or vehicles for individual ambition,” he said. “Courts cannot save democracy when they are inaccessible, slow, inconsistent or perceived to be subject to political influence.

Both institutions can defend democracy only when they are themselves credible, accountable, competent and trusted.” Democracy goes beyond elections Mr Asiedu Nketia said elections only determine who receives the authority to govern and do not, on their own, guarantee that political power will subsequently be exercised lawfully. He said democracy must also be measured by whether constitutional limits are respected, opposition parties are allowed to operate legitimately and governments remain accountable to citizens between elections. “Elections determine who receives the authority to govern.

They do not, by themselves, determine whether that authority will be exercised lawfully, whether constitutional limits will be respected, whether the opposition will remain legitimate or whether government will improve the lives of the people,” he said. “Democracy is therefore tested not only on election day, but in every decision taken between one election and the next.” Ghana’s democratic record Mr Asiedu Nketia cited Ghana’s Fourth Republic as an example of democr… He said political parties could not credibly defend democracy at the national level if they failed to uphold democratic principles within their own structures.

Mr Asiedu Nketia made the call on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, Nigeria. The dialogue, held under the theme “Beyond Elections: Can Political Parties and the Judiciary Save African Democracy?”, brought together political leaders, members of the judiciary, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to discuss the future of democracy on the continent. Speaking on a panel on political parties and the judiciary, Mr Asiedu Nketia said political parties had responsibilities that extended beyond organising campaigns and contesting elections.

He described political parties as important public and constitutional institutions responsible for recruiting leaders, developing alternative policies, organising political participation and connecting citizens to the state. “A party that demands credible national elections must conduct credible internal elections. A party that condemns authoritarianism in government must tolerate legitimate disagreement within its own structures,” he said.