Election 2024 ECOWAS Engages Political Parties and Stakeholders Ahead of December 7 Elections

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in its measures to operationalise structural conflict prevention in Ghana, has organised an engagement with political parties and other stakeholders to promote a participatory and inclusive electoral process in Ghana ahead of the December 7, 2024 elections.

As Ghana heads towards the December 7 2024 general elections, stakes are very high as the international communities look on with much expectation from the good people of Ghana.

ECOWAS, which over the years, has supported its member states during elections, has, once again, embarked on stakeholder engagement to ensure that Ghana’s peace is not substituted with electoral violence.

Past elections in the sub-region persist to serve as potential sources to trigger conflicts especially when not properly managed by the key stakeholders. Recent elections in some countries within the West African sub-region have recorded pockets of violence.

Ghana recorded pockets of violence during the last general elections in 2020, leading to the loss of lives of some individuals, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

It is in light of this, that ECOWAS, together with other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have embarked on this stakeholder engagement to ensure that Ghana’s democracy is not toppled nor characterised by electoral violence.

Addressing the stakeholders which comprise, political parties, the media, as well as the security and financial crime agencies, Mr. Ebenezer Asiedu, Head of, Mediation facilitation division of the ECOWAS mission, commended all stakeholders for honouring the invitation to be part of the discussion to foster peace in Ghana.

“I would like to commend the political parties’ representatives here, for not only honouring our invitation here but also for your efforts thus far, supporting the peaceful democratic process and values in the country.”

Ghana is recognized as the beacon of democracy in the West African Sub-region with a track record of attaining an unprecedented nine consecutive elections, thereby remaining a module of thriving democracy.

ECOWAS, according to Mr. Ebenezer Asiedu, is firm and committed to accompanying Ghana in her determination to consolidate the country’s democratic credentials as Ghana prepares to go to the polls on December 7, 2024.

Ghana’s multiparty system has been long-standing since 1992, hence, the need to uphold the relevant democratic principles which will ensure peaceful transitions of power through inclusive and regular elections.

ECOWAS considers political parties as one of the major key actors that ought to be worked with closely and constructively to ensure that they play a positive role in consolidating Ghana’s democracy through the conduct of peaceful, credible, transparent, and verifiable elections.

Talking about the December 7 general elections, Mr. Asiedu said, “We must all understand that the 7th December 2024 elections are included with high stakes particularly due to the need and high expectations of the international community to consolidate on the peace stability which Ghanaians have enjoyed over the years.”

He added that there is a need for all political parties to work individually as well as collectively to ensure that the period before, during, and after the elections, are peaceful.

“ECOWAS believes in the value of building consensus and forging common understanding among political parties on the most appropriate manners to address the electoral process", Ebenezer Asiedu said. 

The four-day programme, which started on Tuesday, September 17 through to September 20, 2024, is expected to see political parties and other stakeholders live up to expectations in ensuring a peaceful Ghana post-election 2024.
 

 

 

Kobina Darlington/