EC equipped to conduct free & fair election …Prez tells UN

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured the United Nations General Assembly that Ghana will have an election that is free and fair, come December 7, 2024.

According to him, the referee, the Electoral Commission, is well equipped and in a good position to conduct free and fair elections to elect a new president and legislators.

President Akufo-Addo said this on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 during his final address to the UN at the 79th General Assembly, currently ongoing in New York, United States of America.

“As my presidency draws to a close, I want to assure this Assembly that the upcoming 2024 elections in Ghana will be free, fair and transparent.

“The Electoral Commission, supported by Ghana’s security services, is well equipped to ensure that the will of the Ghanaian people is respected,” President Akufo-Addo said.

The assurance by the President, which is not the first, comes at a time when the main opposition party and the EC are at each other’s throats over the credibility of the voter register.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which appeared frustrated about the integrity of the voter register, was compelled to hit the streets across the nation, to register their displeasure and the posture of the EC to address their concerns, particularly permitting a forensic audit of the register.

TENSIONS

Ghana heads to a crucial election at a time when the West African sub-region, in particular, is on fire from political tensions, with nearby countries taken over by military juntas.

President Akufo-Addo indicated that these coups are stark reminders that democracy is indeed fragile and must be continually nurtured.

Ghana has enjoyed stable democracy having transitioned to a multi-party system in 1992, during which eight successive elections have been held, with power changing hands between political parties on multiple occasions.

This achievement, President Akufo-Addo said, Ghanaians would protect and safeguard as the nation prefers a democratic path than the alternative.

“Ghana has long been a beacon of democracy in Africa and we intend to keep it that way. Ghanaians have demonstrated time and time again, in the last three decades, their strong attachment to democracy, which they will not permit to be undermined,” he remarked.

He continued that, “The people of Ghana, from every corner of the country, have made their voices clear: they will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt the democratic process.”

PROOF

President Akufo-Addo, who has contested presidential elections for four consecutive times since 2008, challenged one in court, and one of his two victories was also contested, was confident Ghana will come out of the December elections stronger.

He said that the 2024 elections will be proof of Ghana’s enduring adherence to the rule of law, transparency, and the principles of democratic accountability that have guided the nation in recent decades.

SUPPORT

President Akufo-Addo further urged the international community to continue supporting efforts to promote peace, democracy and development across Africa.

He stressed that the fight for peace goes beyond government action, adding that it is a fight for humanity.

FREE SHS

On another subject, President Akufo-Addo informed the 79th UN General Assembly of the impact of his flagship programme, the free Senior High School.

According to him, the policy has benefitted 5.7 million young people in the country, many of whom would have otherwise been denied the opportunity to receive a quality education.

“Our flagship free SHS policy has benefitted 5.7 million young people, many of whom would have been denied the opportunity to learn, dream, and to succeed.

“This initiative has transformed the lives of millions, positioning the next generation of Ghanaians to take their place as leaders in the global economy.”

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