Professor Jeffrey Haynes, Emeritus Professor of Politics at London Metropolitan University
By Bright Philip Donkor
Professor Jeffrey Haynes, Emeritus Professor of Politics at London Metropolitan University, will today, November 12, dissect the intricate relationship between religion and liberal democracy in Ghana’s Fourth Republic. His presentation, titled ‘Religion and Liberal Democracy in the Fourth Republic,’ will be the focal point of the 19th ‘Kronti ne Akwamu’ (Democracy and Good Governance) Public Lecture, hosted by the Center for Democratic Development-Ghana (CDD-Ghana).
Scheduled for today at 5:30pm, the event will take place at the British Council Auditorium, Ridge, Accra. It promises to attract a diverse audience of academics, policymakers, civil society actors and citizens eager to gain insights into the interplay between faith and governance.
The annual lecture series is a hallmark event in CDD-Ghana’s calendar, known for addressing pivotal issues related to democracy and governance.
Excitement
In an exclusive conversation with the Daily Statesman, Prof. Haynes expressed his excitement to be this year’s distinguished speaker. “It is an honour to be part of CDD-Ghana’s long-standing tradition of enriching public discourse around democracy and development,” he remarked, acknowledging the think tank’s significant role in shaping policy and thought leadership in Ghana and beyond.
Prof. Haynes is widely recognized for his extensive research on religion, politics and democratization. He co-edits the international, peer-reviewed journal, Democratization, and edits the Routledge Studies in Religion & Politics book series, which has published over 50 influential volumes since 2011. In addition to his scholarly pursuits, he regularly contributes thought-provoking pieces to Ghanaian publications such as Daily Statesman and Daily Graphic newspapers.
His accolades include the prestigious Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Studies Association’s Religion and International Relations Section in 2016. His latest works, Revolution and Democracy in Ghana: The Politics of Jerry John Rawlings (2023) and the third edition of the Routledge Handbook of Religion and Politics (2024), underscore his deep engagement with the themes he will explore today.
About the Lecture
Launched in March 2005, ‘Kronti ne Akwamu’ is CDD-Ghana’s flagship public lecture on democracy, governance, and development. It is delivered annually by a local or international public figure, scholar or practitioner whose work reflects an enduring engagement with or commitment to democracy, good governance, and inclusive development—the three, interrelated ideals that define CDD-Ghana’s mission and inform its programmes.
Through the ‘Kronti ne Akwamu Lectures’, CDD-Ghana aims to elevate and invigorate the public conversation, provoke critical thought and reflection, and inspire fresh insights and perspectives on the experience, practice, and prospects of democracy, governance, and development in Ghana and Africa.
This event forms part of CDD-Ghana’s Advocacy and Campaigns to help raise awareness on critical issues (global and local), monitor, contribute to changing policy, practice and mindset, increase public accountability, mobilize political and social support for new legislation, and facilitate important conversations to promote good governance and inclusive development for both present and future generations.
The lecture will examine the potential of religious institutions and beliefs to support or hinder democratic development in Ghana. With Ghana’s Fourth Republic characterized by a vibrant but sometimes contentious relationship between faith and governance, Prof. Haynes aims to provide an in-depth analysis of how religion can be leveraged to strengthen democracy. His insights will be complemented by the expertise of Most Reverend Professor Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church, Ghana, who will chair the event.
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