Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Ghanaians to show patriotism by striving for peaceful, free, and transparent elections in the upcoming December 7 general elections.
Jonathan made the statement upon arriving in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday, where he is leading the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observation mission ahead of the country’s polls.
WAEF’s Communications Officer, Mr. Wealth Dickson Ominabo, made this known in a statement released to the media on Wednesday in Abuja.
Jonathan praised Ghanaians for their lasting dedication to democratic principles, noting that the country’s history of peaceful political transitions sets a shining example for democratic governance throughout Africa.
He also charged the electoral commission of Ghana and the security agencies to keep to their mandate of independence and neutrality to ensure a credible polling process.
The former president also called on political parties, candidates, and all stakeholders to respect the integrity of the electoral process and pledged to resolve disputes through lawful and constitutional channels.
He further urged the youth and party supporters to remain law-abiding during and after the elections, avoiding acts of intimidation or violence.
Describing Ghana as a model of democracy, Jonathan also urged Ghanaians to seek to safeguard Ghana’s democratic legacy by rejecting violence, intimidation, or actions that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
He said: “The upcoming elections present another opportunity for Ghanaians to reinforce their dedication to democracy, stability, and development.
“WAEF urges the Electoral Commission of Ghana to uphold its mandate of conducting free and fair elections and ensuring the transparency and credibility of the 2024 elections as a way of building trust among the electorate and stakeholders.
“We encourage the security agencies to sustain their professional conduct and maintain their neutrality and a peaceful electoral environment by ensuring impartial deployment to safeguard voting materials, polling centres, and citizens across the country.
“As we approach the end of campaign activities, we urge all political parties and their candidates to reaffirm their commitment to peaceful campaigns devoid of hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric, and personal attacks.
“By working together, Ghanaians can once again assert the country’s position as a model of democracy built on a tradition of peaceful, free, fair, and transparent elections.”
Other members of the delegation include former Burkinabe Prime Minister and President of the ECOWAS, Mr. Kadre Ouedraogo; Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms. Ann Iyonu; and Special Adviser to Jonathan, Ikechukwu Eze.
The WAEF, established in 2021 by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, serves as a non-partisan platform for past West African heads of state and government to share their expertise.
The Forum provides advisory, mediation, and conflict resolution services to regional political leaders, promoting democracy, peace, security, and governance initiatives.
By collaborating with organizations like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS),
WAEF aims to enhance the integrity of the democratic process and mitigate instability and violence in the sub-region.
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