From October 20 to November 2, 2025, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), in partnership with the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), hosted 21 emerging leaders from Africa and Europe under the Shaping Futures Academy’s Citizenship and Democracy Module.
The two-week intensive program explored democracy, leadership, and sustainability through a series of lectures, dialogues, field visits, and group projects. Participants examined key questions around democratic participation, human rights, traditional leadership, and civic activism in Africa’s governance context.
Exploring Democracy and Citizenship
The module began with opening remarks from Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, and Prof. Gyimah-Boadi, Founder, CDD-Ghana and Former Board Chair, Afrobarometer who challenged participants to interrogate the state of democracy across the continent. Sessions such as Problematizing Democracy: An Introduction to Democracy in Africa and The Role of CSOs in Strengthening Democratic Governance provided foundational insight into Africa’s evolving political landscape.
Other sessions featured distinguished speakers including Prof. James Dzisah, Dean of the School of Education and Leadership, University of Ghana, Prof. Akosua Darkwah, Dean of Graduate School, University of Ghana and Dr. Michael Akagbor, Programs Manager, CDD-Ghana, covering topics like Democracy or Development: Is There an Authoritarian Advantage?, Contested Democracy: Views from Below, and Democracy and the Will of the Majority—Do Human Rights Matter?
Participants also engaged with Afrobarometer’s Director of Communications, Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny, who presented findings on Young Africans’ Attitudes to Democracy and Development, sparking dialogue around youth participation and gender dynamics in governance.
The module on Citizenship and Democracy in Africa was led by Emerita Professor Takyiwaa Manuh, Senior Fellow at CDD-Ghana.
A highlight of the program was a panel discussion on Democracy in Contemporary Africa: Contestation, Contradictions and the Future, featuring Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana; Reverend Canon Dr. Patrick Okaijah-Bortier; and Nana Kwadwo Owusu, a Traditional Governance and Democratic Development Strategist.
Experiential Learning and Site Visits
The program combined classroom dialogue with experiential learning. Participants visited the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya for faculty discussions on Eco-Feminism, Water, Sanitation and Development, and Environmental Conservation and Climate Change
They also paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse, at the Ga Mantse Palace. The Ga Mantse emphasized leadership as a service to the people, urging the young leaders to prioritize accountability, impact, and inclusiveness in governance.
A special highlight was the visit to Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, where participants reflected on the role of ethical leadership in shaping democratic transitions.
Deepening Reflection and Action
Beyond lectures, the academy fostered peer learning through debates and project assignments. Participants discussed themes such as AI and Democracy: The Challenges of Misinformation and Disinformation, Civic Activism, and Citizenship in Modern Africa, guided by practitioners like Nathan Gadugah, Editor, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Legal Practitioner and Felicity Nelson, Deputy CEO, Ghana Tourism Development Company.
According to Dr. Chris Büscher, IDOS representative, the partnership with CDD-Ghana “created an engaging environment where participants could critically analyze and share perspectives on democracy and citizenship within their national contexts.”
Participant Perspectives
For many, the program was transformative.
“I’ve learnt that democracy is a work in progress and must be contextualized for Africa to experience its full dividends,” said Abdul Majeed Sanaa, a participant from Ghana.
From Kenya, Farhiya Mohamoud added, “These two weeks reinforced that Africa’s democratic challenges are interconnected. Meeting President Kufuor and engaging with peers determined to make democracy deliver has inspired me to be intentional about my role as a citizen.”
Closing Ceremony
On the final day of the Academy, participants expressed their gratitude to CDD-Ghana and IDOS for the opportunity to learn and connect through the program.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Policy Engagement & Partnerships, CDD-Ghana, who also engaged with participants on the opening day, encouraged them to stay committed to service despite life’s competing demands.
“The world hasn’t changed much since you arrived three weeks ago. You’ll return to your daily realities and many things to juggle, but don’t let that discourage you from your commitment to serve others,” he said.
Dr. Asante further emphasized the importance of maintaining collaboration and community: “Institutions like CDD-Ghana and IDOS exist to support you on this journey. Keep the friendships, nurture the networks, and sustain the bonds you’ve built because we are, in the end, global citizens.”
About the Shaping Futures Academy
The Shaping Futures: African-European Network on Development and Sustainability Academy is a dialogue and training program for early- to mid-career professionals from Africa and Europe. Hosted by IDOS and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the academy promotes cross-continental collaboration, peer learning, and sustainable development leadership.
