Rising executive interference weakening governance – President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has warned that judicial independence and democratic institutions are facing increasing threats worldwide due to rising executive interference and restrictions on civil liberties.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, the President said institutions once seen as global symbols of democracy, justice and the rule of law are facing a worrying decline.

According to him, recent global developments show growing executive overreach and weakening legislative authority, undermining democratic governance systems.

“Judiciaries are no longer independent…We see executive overreach and a steady weakening of legislative independence,” President Mahama stated.

He noted that freedoms of speech, assembly and protest are increasingly being curtailed, contributing to what he described as a sharp erosion of public confidence in governments.

“Restrictions are being placed on freedom of speech, assembly and protest. There is a general loss of liberties and a sharp decline in public trust in governments,” he said.

President Mahama further observed that technological advancement has made global crises more interconnected, citing the rapid spread of COVID-19 as evidence of how developments in one part of the world quickly affect others.

He cautioned African nations against measuring their democratic progress solely against Western standards, stressing that recent global trends should serve as a wake-up call for countries to strengthen their own institutions.

“The reality we see today should serve as a clear call to action,” he added.