Democracy not a solution to Africa’s problems - Obasanjo

Democracy though has been likened to the development in Africa, many are still of the view that it is not an antidote to the many problems bedevilling the continent.

Former Nigeria President, Olusegun Mathew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo who shares in that view in an interview he granted Kyenkyenhene Boateng on 21 minutes with KKB monitored by MyNewsGh.com described it as an important journey

“Democracy is not a destination, it is a journey and that is very important. There is no country that can claim I have got to the end of the journey. We are all making progress…that is the first thing” he stated.

According to him, democracy which is not an end in itself must inure to the benefit of the citizenry urging people to me measured about their expectations of democracy.

“Democracy is not the end in itself it is the benefit to the citizens that is what democracy is all about Even the simple definition of government by the people for the people is very important. Nowadays we talk of dividends of democracy for the people” he stated.

He described democracy is a complete failure if it fails to deliver reiterating that the essence is what it can deliver to the citizens to improve on their wellbeing.

“If Democracy cannot deliver then democracy cannot deliver, democracy is a failure. The essence of democracy is what it can deliver to the citizenry”, he added.

He, however, observed that Africa is still far from democracy nonetheless has chalked some success with the conduct of general elections and others.

“Thirty years ago, having elections in any county alone was a miracle”, he recounted.