A growing number of Ghanaians are expressing support for military intervention in politics if elected leaders abuse their mandate, according to the 2024 Afrobarometer findings. The survey reveals that 51% of citizens believe the Ghana Armed Forces should take control in such circumstances, marking an 11-percentage point increase from 40% in 2022.
Conversely, public opposition to military involvement is declining, with the proportion of Ghanaians who believe the military should never intervene falling from 55% in 2022 to 47% in 2024. The findings were presented at a regional dissemination event in Kumasi.
Youth support for military intervention is particularly concerning, with 52% of respondents aged 18-25 and 56% of those aged 26-35 endorsing a military takeover if leadership fails. Gender differences also emerged, with 53% of men and 48% of women expressing support for military involvement.
Mavis Zupork Dome, Senior Research Analyst at CDD-Ghana, noted that public opinion was divided on the path forward after a military takeover. “Forty-one percent advocate for a gradual transition back to civilian rule, while 38% prefer an immediate return to civilian governance,” she stated.
Some 14% indicated they would not mind the military remaining in power indefinitely if it served the nation’s best interest. Jonathan Donkor, Technical Advisor at GIZ, emphasized the importance of citizen engagement in democratic governance, saying, “When citizen voices are included in governance, policies better serve people’s needs.”
