AU Representative Mohamed Ibn Chambas Urges Peaceful Elections in Ghana

Accra: Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns and Chairman of the AU High-Level Panel on Sudan, has called on Ghanaians to ensure a peaceful and violence-free electoral process in the upcoming December 2024 elections. During the launch of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers' (CODEO) activities, he emphasized the importance of maintaining Ghana's reputation for credible elections and avoiding complacency. According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Chambas expressed his concerns during the official launch of CODEO's election day observation activities and the kick-off of its cascade training for observers. The event, held in Accra, marked the beginning of preparations for the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections, where Ghanaians will elect a president and 276 Members of Parliament. Dr Chambas highlighted the necessity of vigilance to preserve the integrity of Ghana's electoral process. "We have a track record that, yes, on our continent, in our sub -region, when they are counting countries that are known for generally peaceful, credible elections, Ghana, we are up there. And we want to keep it up there," he stated. He stressed that past successes do not guarantee future outcomes, urging all stakeholders, including state institutions and civil society organizations, to actively participate in ensuring a peaceful election. Further, Dr Chambas addressed the issue of election-related violence and the importance of safeguarding lives during the electoral process. He expressed optimism about the assurances from the Electoral Commission (EC) and its commitment to conducting a credible and transparent election. Additionally, Dr Chambas called for greater representation of women in Ghana's parliament and emphasized the need for improvement in the next electoral cycle. He also commended CODEO for its role and stressed the importance of maintaining its impartiality and reputation for incorruptibility in contributing to Ghana's democratic achievements.