The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) has called on African governments and stakeholders to promote inclusive governance and empower citizens to play a greater role in shaping their political future.
The foundation made the call in a statement issued by its Communications Officer, Wealth Ominabo, on Tuesday September 15, in Abuja to mark the 2026 International Day of Democracy, themed “Raising Hands and Voices – Fostering Agency and Ownership through Deliberative Democracy.” It said democracy should go beyond periodic elections to guarantee fundamental rights, expand freedoms and promote shared prosperity.
GJF Executive Director, Ann Iyonu, said the theme reflected the foundation’s focus on deliberative governance. She cited initiatives including its annual democracy dialogue, national peace conferences and electoral mediation missions across West Africa as efforts aimed at strengthening citizen participation and democratic processes.
Iyonu urged governments and stakeholders to build societies where citizens’ voices count and people are empowered to influence who governs them and how they are governed. She said putting citizens at the centre of governance would contribute to building peaceful, just and egalitarian societies.
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