Former President John Dramani Mahama and the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) met today with a pre-election assessment team from the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
The visit, which took place just 61 days ahead of Ghana’s general elections, focused on ensuring a peaceful electoral process and addressing concerns related to the country’s electoral preparations.
Welcoming the delegation, former President Mahama expressed his appreciation for the WAEF initiative, highlighting its importance in fostering credible elections across the region.
He referenced his own experience working with the forum, particularly when he led a delegation to supervise the Nigerian elections, noting the value of such initiatives in promoting peace and stability.
“I know how useful this initiative is, and so I want to warmly welcome you,” Mahama stated.
He acknowledged the challenges currently surrounding Ghana’s electoral process, particularly concerns raised about the electoral register and the role of the Electoral Commission (EC).
He expressed optimism that the presence of a high-level delegation like WAEF would provide an opportunity to address these issues constructively.
“With barely 61 days to the election, there have been a few issues bubbling back and forth, especially with the Electoral Commission and issues to do with the register,” Mahama said. He emphasized the critical importance of laying the groundwork for a peaceful election, stressing that the success of the election would largely depend on the preparations made in advance.
“We all want a peaceful election, but a peaceful election is predicated on the groundwork and preparation that is done before the election,” Mahama remarked.
He assured the forum of the NDC’s commitment to a peaceful electoral process and urged cooperation between all stakeholders, particularly the Electoral Commission, which he described as the “neutral arbiter and umpire” in the election.
In response, former President Goodluck Jonathan echoed Mahama’s sentiments and reiterated the WAEF’s commitment to promoting peaceful and credible elections across the region.
Jonathan’s leadership in the forum has been instrumental in ensuring democratic stability in various West African countries, and his presence in Ghana signals the importance of the upcoming election.
The West African Elders Forum, comprising respected statesmen and former leaders, has been pivotal in promoting peace, democracy, and good governance across the region.
Their engagement in Ghana’s election comes at a crucial time, as political tensions rise and the country prepares for another closely contested election.
The NDC leadership welcomed the opportunity to work with the forum to ensure that all concerns are addressed in the lead-up to the December polls, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining Ghana’s status as a beacon of democracy in West Africa.
Source: www.kumasimail.com /IJB/Kumasi
