President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed the need for Ghanaians to consolidate the gains it has achieved in its democracy, saying the country is not merely a model for the continent but the globe as a whole.
Lauding the Electoral Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the confidence reposed in the body is not eroded, the President noted that Ghana has propelled its democracy for the admiration beyond the jurisdictions of Africa.
During his speech at the Africa Report Summit on Misinformation and Disinformation Thursday, August 01, 2024, he noted that each election the nation has had since it last returned to constitutional rule has demonstrated the strides the nation is making in constitutional rule.
He said that the vibrancy of the civil society organisations with a peaceful transition of power over the years are testaments to what a true constitutional democracy is.
“Ladies and gentlemen, since the return to constitutional rule, each election held has contributed to the consolidation of the nation’s democratic credentials. The seamless transitions of power are testaments to the strength of our democratic institutions. Our democratic credentials are solidified further by the vibrancy of civil society and the independence of the judiciary.
“These institutions have made significant contributions to safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring the well-being of the people is respected. Our media landscape, characterised by diverse and free media, has been effective in promoting transparency and accountability,” he indicated.
He extolled the works of the election management body since the commencement of the Fourth Republic.
“The Commission’s dedication to transparency and its efforts to engage all stakeholders have been crucial in maintaining public confidence in the electoral process. Ghana’s democracy is not just a model for Africa, but I dare say for the world as well.
“The Electoral Commission has consistently demonstrated its attachment to conducting free, fair and credible elections. The Commission’s dedication to transparency and its efforts to engage all stakeholders have been crucial in maintaining public confidence in the electoral process. Ghana’s democracy is not just a model for Africa, but I dare say for the world as well,” the President stated.
The President continued that a continuation of such practice will attract international administration.
“Our ability to uphold democratic values will face various challenges as well as the respect and admiration of the international community,” the President stated.
Meanwhile, security expert, Col. Festus Boahene Aboagye, has indicated that Ghana’s elections has never been free, fair and transparent.
Speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 Thursday, August 01, 2024, the security expert did not mince words to say that elections in Ghana lack the tenets of fair, transparent and free.
“There have been certain forums where at the instance of the National Peace Council where political parties have been brought together and have been encouraged to commit themselves to accept election results.
“But when we make committal, we make it on the basis of assumptions being valid so both political parties will say ‘okay, I’ll accept the outcome of the elections then they will post a caveat that it’s free, fair, transparent and you and I know that there are many reasons why our elections are not transparent and they are not free and they are not fair,” he explained.
Source:onuaonline.com