The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has called for a fundamental shift in how African countries approach governance, urging the continent to develop its own model of democracy rooted in its unique values and realities.
According to him, Africa’s continued reliance on Western frameworks for democracy and policy development has limited its ability to chart an independent path towards sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
“I have long held a certain view on democracy. Africa must define her own democracy and craft her own socio-economic and political policies to emerge an African lion,” he stated.
He argued that the dominance of Western ideologies in shaping governance systems across Africa has created a one-size-fits-all approach that may not reflect the continent’s cultural and social context.
He noted that Africa’s intellectual and political orientation has been heavily influenced by Western education and exposure, leading to the widespread perception that Western definitions of democracy are the only acceptable standard.
“We have allowed the Western approach to handling democracy to be the only way we see,” he said.
Mr Kotoko further stressed that Africa must take deliberate steps to assert its sovereignty in policymaking, particularly on social and cultural issues, rather than adopting external positions without critical evaluation.
He emphasised that the continent’s development agenda must be guided by its own priorities, values, and lived realities if it is to achieve meaningful progress.
Drawing comparisons with the rapid economic rise of Asian economies, often referred to as the “Asian Tigers”, he suggested that Africa has the potential to chart a similar trajectory by developing tailored systems that respond to its specific needs.
The Forestry Commission official maintained that redefining democracy in an African context is essential to unlocking the continent’s full potential and ensuring policies are aligned with the aspirations of its people.
His remarks contribute to ongoing debates about governance, cultural identity, and the future of democracy in Africa, particularly in an era of increasing global influence and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
