Includes references (114-120 p.)

'ABSTRACT This study examines thе rolе of thе mеdia regarding the dеmocratization procеss of Nigеria and Ghana. Nigeria and Ghana have a wavering political history, a mixture of military coup d'états and regimes, with inconsistent practices of democracy. That is, Ghana and Nigeria have had many military coups intermixed with forms of democratic institutions since independence in 1957 and 1960, respectively. The significant democratisation processes that have been witnessed in the past few decades tend towards consolidated, matured, and stable constitutional democracy. The roles of media in the democratisation process and democracy have been found to have a lot of similarities and dissimilarities. This study indicates that the processes of democratisation do not follow one single direction. Independent nations attained and sustained democracy in starts and stops, with a lot of uncertainties in common. The four stages required of a democratic country: pre-transition, transition, consolidation, and mature (stable) are examined in the cases of Nigeria and Ghana. The media directly or indirectly enforce both the citizens (governed) and political elites (government) to adhere, abide, be responsible, and be accountable to the constitution of the nation. This study notes that domestic and international media are an essential institution, the fourth arm of the government in a stable democracy, contribute immensely as a watchdog, spokesperson, and mouthpiece for both the citizens and governments. This study summarises and integrates the role of media in the democratisation processes and the democratic institutions of Ghana and Nigeria since the independence era. Keywords: Ghana, democratization process, democracy, election, media, Nigeria, politics'