EU experts commend Ghana’s 2024 elections as peaceful, credible

The European Union (EU) Election Expert Mission praised Ghana for its 2024 elections. They described the elections as peaceful, transparent, and credible. The overall electoral process was deemed “positive” in their final report.

EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Ramiandrasoa Razaaly, presented the report. This occurred during a brief ceremony in Accra on Tuesday evening. He noted that the presidential and parliamentary elections were competitive and well-conducted.

Ambassador Razaaly highlighted that the campaign was generally peaceful and inclusive. The elections met most regional and international obligations. Civil and political rights were upheld, including freedoms of association, assembly, movement, speech, and voting.

He commended the Ghanaian government and citizens for their commitment to democracy. Despite some operational challenges, they reinforced the country’s democratic credentials. The Electoral Commission's openness and transparency were key to the election's success.

Razaaly also mentioned Ghana's positive influence in Africa. He said other nations found inspiration in Ghana’s electoral conduct. He emphasized that Ghanaians freely express dissent—a hallmark of a healthy democracy.

During his interactions with Ghanaians, he noted their honest views on democracy. People shared frustrations but showed commitment to preserving it.

The EU envoy acknowledged progress since the 2020 elections. This included a stronger role for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE). Legal barriers to women's political participation have also been removed.

However, he pointed out areas needing improvement:
- Strengthening identity verification for new registrants
- Reviewing the guarantor system
- Regulating campaign financing
- Countering misinformation

He recommended enhancing ballot reconciliation procedures too. Timely collation of results at constituency and regional levels is essential.

In response, Jean Mensa welcomed the report from the EU mission. She pledged that the Electoral Commission (EC) would strive for continuous improvement.

Mensa stated they would use insights from this report to better serve Ghanaians. She called it a fair reflection of current realities on the ground.

She stressed public education's importance in promoting electoral transparency. Mensa also advocated for national dialogue on campaign finance legislation and governance improvements.

She expressed gratitude for collaborating with the EU Election Expert Mission. She hopes for an even stronger partnership in future elections.