The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has issued a strong call to media houses and civil society organisations (CSOs) across Africa to step up efforts in resisting the growing threat of democracy capture on the continent.
The call came during the launch of the inaugural Democracy Capture Index (DEMCAP Index) held on July 7, 2025, in Accra. Themed “Resisting Capture and Strengthening Democratic Resilience in Africa,” the event brought together key stakeholders from across the sub-region to explore how democratic systems can be shielded from undue political and elite interference.
Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, Democracy and Development Fellow at CDD-Ghana, noted that while democracy capture is currently less dominant within civil society and media spaces, those institutions remain vulnerable.
“When asked about their vulnerability to future capture, these institutions—particularly the media—ranked high. In Ghana, when public discourse becomes highly partisan and polarised, we often look to these institutions to mediate and refocus the country on national priorities,” he said.
He warned that media outlets and civil society must remain vigilant and avoid manipulation by entrenched political or corporate interests that could compromise their watchdog roles.
The DEMCAP Index, developed by CDD-Ghana and its partners, is a new analytical tool designed to measure the extent to which key state institutions and democratic systems are susceptible to being “captured”—a process where they are influenced or controlled by a small group of powerful actors for personal or political gain.
Dr. Kojo Asante, CDD-Ghana’s Director for Policy Engagement and Partnerships, underscored the importance of the index as part of a wider strategy to strengthen democratic governance in Africa.
“This report, along with other research initiatives, is part of a deliberate intervention to counter democracy decline, build resilience, and reimagine the future of democracy in Africa,” Dr. Asante stated.
Participants at the launch included representatives from governance institutions, think tanks, and pro-democracy organisations across West Africa. The DEMCAP Index is expected to serve as a benchmark for assessing institutional independence and promoting reforms that safeguard democratic values across the continent.
