A joint delegation from the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) and the West Africa Election Observation Network (WAEON) is scheduled to visit Ghana from December 6 to December 9, 2024, as part of an Election Solidarity Mission.
This visit aligns with the country’s general elections on December 7 and reflects the delegation’s unwavering commitment to strengthening democratic values and promoting credible electoral practices across West Africa.
In October 2024, WADEMOS and WAEON conducted a Pre-Election Mission to Ghana to evaluate the preparations for the polls.
During this visit, they engaged with key stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the National Peace Council (NPC), and the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), among others.
The mission’s objective was to promote solidarity among pro-democracy entities, enhance the credibility of the electoral process, and strengthen Ghana’s democratic standing.
A detailed pre-election report was released, highlighting observations and recommendations from this engagement.
The Election Solidarity Mission to Ghana is part of a broader initiative that has seen similar delegations deployed to Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia during their 2023 elections and to Senegal earlier in 2024.
In Ghana, the delegation will visit polling stations, observe electoral procedures firsthand, and interact with various observer groups such as CODEO.
These efforts aim to facilitate regional learning and post-election advocacy to further democratic resilience in West Africa.
Led by Rev. James Lahai of WAEON and Dr. Dauda Garuba of WADEMOS, the delegation comprises representatives from diverse civil society organizations across the region, including groups from Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and The Gambia.
WADEMOS and WAEON have called on Ghana’s Electoral Commission to uphold transparency and fairness in managing the elections.
They also urged citizens to cooperate with election officials, refrain from spreading misinformation, and contribute to ensuring peace during this pivotal democratic exercise.