Election 2024: ECOWAS engages political parties and stakeholders ahead of December 7 elections

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, as part of its measures to support structural conflict prevention in Ghana, has organized 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 community looks 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 engagements to ensure that Ghana’s peace is not substituted with electoral violence.

Past elections in the sub-region continue to serve as potential sources of conflict triggers, especially when not properly managed by key stakeholders.

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 the ECOWAS Commission has embarked on this stakeholder engagement to ensure that Ghana’s democracy is not toppled nor characterized 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 the Democracy and Good Governance Division of the ECOWAS Commission, commended all stakeholders for honoring 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 honoring our invitation but also for your efforts thus far in 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 model 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 the peaceful transition of power through inclusive and regular elections.

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

Talking about the December 7 general elections, Mr. Asiedu said, “We must all understand that the December 7, 2024 elections are imbued with high stakes, particularly due to the need and high expectations of the international community to consolidate the peace and 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 is peaceful.

The four-day programme, which started on Tuesday, September 17, and ends on September 20, 2024, is expected to see political parties and other stakeholders live up to expectations in ensuring a peaceful Ghana post-December 7, 2024 elections.