Commonwealth report commends Ghana’s 2024 Elections, calls for greater transparency

A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has released its final assessment of Ghana’s 2024 general elections, affirming the process as transparent, credible, and peaceful while recommending improvements in electoral transparency and accountability.

The election, which saw John Dramani Mahama elected as Ghana’s 14th president, was observed by a 16-member independent team led by former President of Botswana, HE Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi. The group was deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC.

Democratic Progress and Key Observations

In her remarks on the report, Secretary-General Patricia Scotland commended Ghana’s democratic growth:

“Ghana’s peaceful and credible elections are a testament to the country’s maturing democracy. The Commonwealth Observer Group has made a detailed assessment of the election, noting areas of significant strength and identifying opportunities for improvement, including the need for enhanced transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the electoral process.”

She further encouraged Ghana’s institutions to adopt the group’s recommendations and applauded Ghanaians for their commitment to democracy.

The report highlighted:
• The professionalism of polling officials, security agencies, and party agents.
• The calm and orderly atmosphere maintained throughout the election.
• The early concession by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, demonstrating statesmanship and helping to ease post-election tensions.
• The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) was praised for implementing measures such as additional polling stations and temporary polling staff, which improved the voting experience by reducing queues and speeding up the process.

Areas for Improvement

Despite the positive assessment, the COG report urged reforms in the following areas:

Campaign Financing: The report reiterated previous recommendations for a robust regulatory framework to curb the monetization of politics, warning that unchecked financial influence could undermine Ghana’s democratic integrity.

Election Result Delays: Observers noted that delays in announcing results from certain constituencies led to uncertainty and speculation. The report urged the EC to address this issue in future elections to enhance public confidence.

Next Steps

The final report, which builds on the interim statement released after the elections, has been distributed to the Ghanaian government, political parties, the EC, and other stakeholders for review and implementation.

The Commonwealth Observer Group’s findings reaffirm Ghana’s reputation as a leading democracy in Africa, while its recommendations offer a roadmap for further strengthening electoral integrity, transparency, and accountability.