Donors Pledge Support For Ghana's Elections

ACCRA, Ghana (PANA) - The donor community has confirmed its support to the Ghana Government and the Electoral Commission to ensure free, fair and transparent elections this year.

A statement issued in Accra on Thursday said the community last year set up a working group to look at the whole question of electoral assistance.

It comprised the British High Commission, Royal Danish Embassy, Canadian High Commission, European Commission, the Embassies of France, Italy, Royal Netherlands, Germany, Japan and Spain, as well as the UNDP and USAID.

"The group meets monthly and consults closely with the EC and the Ghana Ministry of Finance to look at the whole question of electoral assistance, which, for the most part, will be directed towards the provision of equipment and materials and the training of personnel.

"The community will be committing significant funds towards the preparation and arrangements for the presidential and parliamentary election in December," the statement said.

The group also attends the regular Inter-Party Advisory Committee meetings at the EC to hear the views and concerns of representatives of the political parties.

Last week, it met the National Media Commission, Ghana Journalists Association and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, to discuss their proposals and plans for monitoring media coverage of the elections.

In addition, NGOs and representatives of civil society are discussing with donors' project proposals on election-related activities.

Some donors are also expected to offer assistance to the media in capacity building, orientation courses and the distribution of handbooks to journalists.