Creative entrepreneur George Quaye has criticised Ghana’s democratic system, arguing that the country’s four-year electoral cycle has hindered national development, particularly in the creative arts industry.

Speaking in an interview with Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, George said he had never supported democracy, suggesting that frequent changes in government make it difficult to sustain long-term projects and development initiatives.

“I’ve never liked democracy,” he said while discussing how the democratic system, particularly in the arts and culture sector, has affected the smooth implementation and continuity of projects.

When asked about the governance system he would prefer for Ghana, George mentioned “benevolent dictatorship” and cited China’s communist ideology as a model he believes could help accelerate the country’s development.

He argued that certain decisions require firm leadership and that people sometimes need to be compelled to follow a particular direction to achieve meaningful progress.

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

George’s comments add to ongoing public discussions about Ghana’s multi-party democratic system and whether its current structure is delivering the desired results for the country.

Former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, has also expressed dissatisfaction with the system, arguing that multi-party democracy has failed to benefit the wider population and has largely served the interests of 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 similarly questioned the effectiveness of democracy in addressing the country’s challenges.

In a 2023 interview with Joy Entertainment, he argued that Ghana needed a benevolent dictator to achieve the desired development, describing the kind of leader he believed the country required as “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 remarks while discussing what he perceives as a decline in the momentum surrounding this year’s December in GH activities.

He expressed disappointment that the initiative, which previously served as a major promotional brand for Ghana’s December festivities and attracted international attention, appeared to have lost some of its excitement.

“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 further explained that although he understood that different administrations could have their own approaches and priorities, he would have preferred to see the initiative that had already gained international recognition receive continued attention and 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.

Gospel musician Diana Hamilton has urged emerging artistes to change their perception of success and breakthrough in the music industry, cautioning against measuring progress solely by hit songs, popularity and mainstream recognition.

Speaking in an interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz, the award-winning singer explained that the belief that gospel musicians are not making significant progress is largely influenced by how people define success.

According to her, several gospel artistes are building strong audiences and impacting lives across different countries, even though their achievements may not receive widespread public attention.

She cited Efe Grace, among other gospel musicians, as an example of an artiste whose ministry is reaching people and making an impact beyond what the general public may know.

“Sometimes, I want us to be careful with this ‘nobody is breaking through’ narrative. I think it is our perception of what a breakthrough is. Let us not judge it that way,” she said.

Diana Hamilton noted that many worshippers and talented gospel musicians are attracting their own audiences and building dedicated fan bases without necessarily having songs that meet the industry’s conventional definition of a hit.

“There is an army of worshippers and great musicians who are building their own fan bases and attracting their own crowds that we do not even know about. Efe Grace and others are impacting nations that we may not even be aware of.

“So, I think it is our yardstick that matters. What we consider a hit song may make you think somebody is not breaking through. Let us be careful with our definition of breakthrough. It is very important that we do that,” she stated.

The musician further advised artistes involved in ministry to understand their individual assignments, remain focused on their calling and avoid comparing their progress with that of others.

She emphasised the importance of knowing what they want, understanding God’s purpose for their lives and remaining committed to the work they have been called to do.

“Anybody out there doing ministry, it is important you know what you want, you know who your God is, His assignment for you, and focus on it.

“Be diligent; applaud those ahead of you. Do not speak down on those ahead of you because until you get there, you will not know what it takes to get there.

“Applaud, not envy,” she added.

Founder of Prophetic Hill Chapel, Prophet Nigel Gaisie, has expressed deep concern about the future of Christianity in Ghana over the next 30 years, warning that the next generation of pastors may struggle to sustain the passion, discipline and commitment required for ministry.

Speaking in an interview on Adom TV, shared online on November 11, 2026, the preacher disclosed that he has a troubling vision of what Christianity could become in the country within the next three decades.

According to Nigel Gaisie, the standards of Christianity have declined, with some younger pastors unwilling to go through the difficult processes and sacrifices associated with ministry.

He argued that many young ministers are not as committed as the older generation, particularly when it comes to prayer, dedication and spiritual discipline.

Sharing his personal experience, Gaisie recalled spending long hours in prayer with his team, sometimes from 11 PM until 1 AM, stressing that such sacrifices were an important part of his journey.

“These young guys are not like what we used to be like. They are not serious, and they don’t want to go through the process. I was here from 11 PM to 1 AM praying with the team, which I should have been part of, but if you don’t come, they won’t pray. It is heavy work,” he said.

He further expressed sadness about the direction Christianity could take in Ghana, insisting that many young pastors lack the zeal and passion needed to build strong ministries.

“It is terrible because I cry for Christianity for the next 30 years. They don’t have the zeal and passion. They want to achieve what I have achieved overnight,” he stated.

Nigel Gaisie also accused some young pastors of prioritising worldly interests, particularly financial gain, over the actual responsibilities of ministry.

He added that some ministers have become more interested in making money than spreading the gospel, arguing that their approach to evangelism reflects their misplaced priorities.

“I think they are full of worldly things. All they want is money, and if you tell them to go for evangelism, they won’t do it well. Some are being influenced by the pastors who are projecting excess of the prophetic,” he added.