The European Union (EU) Election Expert Mission has praised Ghana for the peaceful, transparent, and credible execution of its 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, characterizing the overall electoral process as ‘favorable’ in its concluding report.
The report was delivered by EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Ramiandrasoa Razaaly, to Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), during a brief ceremony held in Accra on Tuesday evening.
Citing the results of the two-month evaluation, Ambassador Razaaly remarked: ‘The presidential and parliamentary elections were competitive, well-organized, and marked by a generally peaceful and inclusive campaign.
The elections fulfilled most regional and international standards, with civil and political rights—such as freedoms of association, assembly, movement, speech, and the right to vote—being respected.’
He commended the Ghanaian government, the Electoral Commission, and the citizens for strengthening the country’s democratic credentials through peaceful elections, despite facing some operational challenges.
The transparency and openness exhibited by the Electoral Commission were crucial to effectively executing the 2024 elections, he remarked. Ambassador Razaaly further emphasized Ghana’s positive impact on the continent, stating that the nation’s electoral process has served as an ‘inspiration’ to other African countries.
‘We have engaged with numerous colleagues from various parts of Africa, and I must emphasize that the overall management of Ghana’s elections has been truly inspiring.
Ghana exemplifies a nation where individuals can freely voice dissent and opinions, which is a fundamental characteristic of a robust democracy.’
He also reflected on his conversations with everyday Ghanaians, noting, ‘Whether at Makola Market, Korle-Bu, or Chorkor, people candidly shared their perspectives.
Despite their frustrations, they demonstrated a profound dedication to upholding Ghana’s democracy.’
The EU representative recognized the advancements achieved since the 2020 elections, particularly noting the strengthened role of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the elimination of legal barriers to women’s political participation.
Nonetheless, he highlighted several critical areas that require enhancement: improving identity verification for new registrants, reassessing the guarantor system, regulating campaign financing and the allocation of public funds, and intensifying efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation.
Additionally, he recommended the improvement of ballot reconciliation processes and ensuring the prompt and accurate compilation of results at both constituency and regional levels.
In her response, Jean Mensa expressed her appreciation for the report and reaffirmed the Electoral Commission’s commitment to ongoing enhancement.
‘We plan to utilize both the technical insights and the broader recommendations from this report to better serve the citizens of Ghana,’ she stated, characterizing the findings as a truthful representation of the current situation.
She emphasized the significance of public education and stakeholder involvement in fostering electoral transparency and fairness and advocated for a national dialogue regarding campaign finance legislation and improved electoral governance.
Mrs. Mensa also conveyed gratitude for the Electoral Commission’s collaboration with the EU Election Expert Mission, expressing optimism for an even more robust partnership in the upcoming 2028 elections.
