Ghana’s outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo has assured the international community that his country will conduct peaceful and credible general elections on December 7, 2024.
According to a statement obtained by The Explainer, Akufo-Addo, who completes his mandatory two terms by January 7, 2025, made this promise while meeting with the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission led by former Nigerian Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo.
“I came to the office as a result of a peaceful and credible election, and I want to go out through the same process,” Akufo-Addo said, emphasizing his commitment to entrenching Ghana’s democratic tradition.
The president acknowledged that ECOWAS has been facing numerous challenges, including violent extremism and military incursions in politics.
He stressed that it is the responsibility of ECOWAS member states to respond to these challenges through the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.
Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in Ghana’s institutions, which have a proven track record of conducting credible elections since the country’s transition to democratic rule in 1992.
He also highlighted Ghana’s role as a founding and active member of ECOWAS, which has chaired the Authority of Heads of State and Government in the past.
Dr. Sambo, in his remarks, commended Ghana’s democratic tradition, which has seen nine cycles of regular elections and peaceful transfer of power.
He urged President Akufo-Addo to galvanize the nation to ensure peaceful, transparent, and credible elections that will consolidate democracy in Ghana and the region.
The ECOWAS delegation also met with Ghana’s Electoral Commission Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Mensa, who briefed them on the commission’s preparations for the upcoming elections.
Dr. Sambo emphasized the need for the electoral commission, security agencies, and other stakeholders to demonstrate professionalism and neutrality in their duties.
Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place on December 7, 2024.
The elections will see 12 presidential candidates vying for the top spot, including the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the opposition National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) candidate, John Dramani Mahama.
