Findings of Afrobarometer survey in Guinea, revealed that about 77 percent of the country’s population preferred democratic governance than any other form of rule.

This, notwithstanding, only four in 10 Guineans (40%) describe their country as a full democracy or a democracy with minor problems.

The findings of the survey come at a time that the country had seen an overthrow of a democratic established government by the military, led by a 41-year old lieutenant Colonel Mamady Doumbouya on Sunday, September 5, 2021.

According the findings released by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), despite some of Guineans enthusiasts hailing the Coup plotters, the citizens had since 2013 maintained their support for a democracy rule.

However, Coup leader Lt. Col. Mamady Doumbouya has cited pervasive poverty and corruption as reasons for the takeover.

Hitherto, the survey also disclosed that the Guineans even supported democracy at time there was a widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s performance.

The Afrobarometer data shows that from late 2019 majorities of Guineans believe that the country was heading in the wrong direction, due to the increased level of corruption, meanwhile, the Alpha Condé Government was performing poorly at fighting the canker.

“Dissatisfaction with the country’s economic conditions and citizens’ personal living conditions has increased, as have negative ratings of the government’s economic performance and provision of essential public services,” it said.

The survey also added that only three in 10 citizens are satisfied with the way their democracy was working.
Although at the time of the survey Alpha Condé have had the constitution amended to enable him run a third term, 76% of the populace want the president to serve a maximum of two terms in office.

Almost two-thirds of Guineans (64%) said the country under the former president was heading in the wrong direction while close to half of the population (47%) held the perception that almost or all officials at the Presidency are corrupt.

The survey findings also indicated that seven in 10 citizens (68%) describe Guinea’s economic conditions as fairly bad or very bad, a significant increase compared to 2013 (59%).

About nine in 10 Guineans say the government is doing “fairly badly” or “very badly” at narrowing income gaps (90%), creating jobs (89%), and improving living standards of the poor

“Overwhelming majorities also say the government is doing a poor job of maintaining roads and bridges (92%), providing water and sanitation services (85%), providing a reliable supply of electricity (83%), addressing educational needs (73%), and improving basic health services,” the study reveals.

By Akutu Dede