Ghana is gearing up for its presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2024. Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President of the National House of Chiefs, has urged chiefs nationwide to champion peace during this critical period, emphasizing their role as peace ambassadors.
With only 36 days left, appeals for a peaceful electoral process are growing among major stakeholders.
The elections are expected to be highly competitive, with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) being the two leading contenders.
The NPP standard-bearer is Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, while the NDC presidential contender is John Mahama, Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2017 .
Ghana’s democratic institutions, including the Electoral Commission, have a reputation for professionalism, independence, and integrity ¹. The Commission has adopted reforms such as continuous voting registration to expand participation.
Civil society actors have also been instrumental in promoting electoral reforms, expanding citizen participation, and enhancing trust in the process
However, challenges persist, including rumors of attempts to replace the Inspector-General of Police and criticism of the police’s heavy-handedness in responding to protests . The country also faces economic headwinds, with rapid inflation and debt requiring an emergency $3-billion IMF bailout.
Despite these challenges, Ghanaians are committed to respecting electoral outcomes and power sharing ¹. The nation must choose the path of democratic principles over chaos, rejecting fear-mongering and division .
By promoting unity and ensuring a fair, transparent electoral process, Ghana can maintain its legacy as a symbol of democracy in Africa
