“I’ve never liked democracy”- George Quaye

Creative entrepreneur George Quaye has weighed in on the concept of democracy, arguing that its four-year electoral cycle in Ghana, has hindered the country’s development.

In an interview with Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, George said the democratic system had stifled Ghana’s progress, particularly in the creative arts industry.

“I’ve never liked democracy,” he said while discussing how the nature of democracy, particularly in the field of arts and culture, had constricted the smooth running of activities and projects.

When asked what he preferred, he mentioned “benevolent dictatorship” and also cited China’s communist ideology as an ideal governance model for Ghana’s development.

“Sometimes people have to be forced to toe a certain line. If you had a government system which didn’t require four-year changes, every now and then, and everybody had a voice, [things would be different]” he said.

George’s comments come amid wider conversations about the effectiveness of Ghana’s multi-party democratic system and its impact on national development.

Other prominent Ghanaians have also criticised aspects of the country’s democratic system. Former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, for instance, has argued that multi-party democracy has failed to serve the wider population, claiming that its benefits have largely gone to the political class. In April 2025, he declared that “multi-party democracy has done nothing for this country” during a public lecture at the University of Education, Winneba

Ghanaian broadcaster and musician, Quophi Okyeame has also said that democracy has not helped to address Ghana's problems. He said in an interview with Joy Entertainment in 2023 that for Ghana to achieve the desired results, it needs a benevolent dictator; "a crazier Rawlings."

“I think we would need a benevolent dictator. If you break down the words, you will understand the kind of person we are looking for; a crazier Rawlings. Africans don’t move until there is a cane on their back,” Quophi said.

George made his comments while discussing the perceived lull surrounding this year’s December in GH activities on Showbiz A-Z.

He expressed concern about the apparent decline in the momentum behind the initiative.

“It’s just sad that the fire around the brand December in GH feels a bit doused. When December in GH was the lead brand that was headlining everything but frankly it’s not that I want to apportion blame. I mean, new king, new law. Everybody has their vision. There is nothing wrong with having a vision and wanting to propagate it,” he said.

He added that he wished the initiative, which had grown into a global brand, had received more attention and continued support.

“Maybe it’s just more time that we need but I would have wished that what was started some time back that was titled the December in GH which became a global phenomenon would have been jealously guarded and pushed,” he noted.