274 elections observers to be trained in Upper West

Wa, Oct 30, GNA - Coalition of Domestic Elections Observers (CODEO), a nongovernmental organisation, would train 274 elections observers in the Upper West Region for the forthcoming general elections.

The number forms part of the 7,500 elections observers to be trained nation-wide by CODEO towards Election 2004 slated for December 7.

Mrs Helen Koranteng, Upper West Regional Co-ordinator of CODEO, announced this at Wa on Saturday during the training of 29 trainers for the Region.

She said 16 out of the 29 would be regional trainers, four pre-elections observers from four districts and nine from persons with disabilities.

Mrs Koranteng said CODEO would step up its democratic activities to stem bribery, corruption and civic and human abuse and inculcate in them democratic and moral values that would keep the country united.

She said CODEO would also promote fair, transparent and peaceful elections by instilling confidence in the electoral process and by preventing and managing conflicts before, during and after the elections.

Alhaji Ahassan Abudulai, an Executive Member of CODEO, called on trainees and trainers to be neutral and impartial during and after the polls and should not under any circumstances assist anybody to cast a vote as that could undermine their neutrality and impartiality in the elections.

He said Ghana was regarded in the world as one of the most peaceful countries in Africa and they should, therefore, avoid activities that could bring the country's name into disrepute.

Alhaji Abudulai said CODEO, which was made up of 34 civil society organisations, had a central objective of stabilising the democratic process and making Ghana to stand out as one of the most peaceful countries in the world.