From PAUL EJIME, Accra
Dr. Namadi Sambo, Head of ECOWAS Election Observation has commended Ghanaians for their democratic maturity and called for sustained peace after Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, candidate of the ruling NPP in Saturday’s presidential election conceded defeat to the candidate of the opposition NDC, former President John Mahama even as the country awaited the announcement of the official results.
“These elections represent a landmark moment in Ghana’s democratic journey, characterised by remarkable voter turnout, a predominantly peaceful process, and the political maturity of its participants. Despite the challenges inherent in an electoral process, the events of Election Day showcased the resilience and vibrancy of Ghana’s democratic culture,” Dr Sambo said at a meeting of Heads of International Election Observation Missions in Accra on Sunday.
He said the “decision by the NPP candidate to accept the election results further underscores the strength of the nation’s democratic institutions and its enduring commitment to upholding electoral integrity,” adding: “We commend the NPP presidential candidate for his remarkable statesmanship in acknowledging the results and fostering peace.”
“Ghana has built an impressive electoral legacy, distinguished by peaceful transitions and an unwavering respect for the people’s will,” the Head of Mission said. “It is now incumbent upon all stakeholders to consolidate this progress, ensuring that the successes of these elections serve as a foundation for even greater strides in democratic governance,” Sambo added.
He also commended Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) and other critical stakeholders for their professionalism and dedication in managing the electoral process.
“As we await the EC’s final declaration of results, it is essential to acknowledge that the post-election phase offers an opportunity for reflection and improvement. Challenges identified by observer groups, including isolated security incidents, and procedural lapses, call for collective action and collaborative solutions,” Dr Sambo affirmed while stressing that “ECOWAS remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ghana as it addresses these challenges and strengthens its electoral processes and institutions.”
Similarly, his counterparts from the African Union, Sahle-Work Zewde, former President of Ethiopia, Mokqweetsi Eric Masisi, former President of Botswana and Head of the Commonwealth, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Head of the West African Elders Forum, Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, and Amb. Aisha Abdullahi, former Commissioner of Political Affairs, African Union and Head of Yiaga Africa, called for collective solutions to identified challenges to strengthen democracy in the region.
They commended the people of Ghana for the generally peaceful elections, bar one or two violent incidents, which the police said claimed one life in the North of the country.
The ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has also congratulated the people of Ghana for the generally peaceful elections, and former President John Dramani Mahama on his victory.
The President equally commends Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia for “his timely concession, which demonstrates his statesmanship and love for the country,” he said in a statement.
Other attendees at the meeting hosted by the AU Mission, included Baboucarr Blaise Jagne, Deputy Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, and Amb. Mohammed Lawan GANA, Resident Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission in Ghana.
ECOWAS deployed 120 Long- and short-term observers to Ghana’s 16 regions and 216 districts to observe the elections, with the approval of the President of the Commission Dr Touray.
Ambassador Musah, who leads a technical Team from the Commission to support the election observation mission, headed a fact-finding Mission to Ghana last July to assess the level of preparedness for the elections.
ECOWAS also provided financial support to some institutions involved in the electoral process.
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