Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan has arrived in Accra, Ghana, leading a delegation from the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to assess the country’s December 2024 general elections. The delegation’s goal is to promote peaceful and fair elections while minimizing the risk of election-related conflicts.
Arriving over the weekend, the team has already begun consultations with key political figures, including Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, as well as former President John Mahama, the main opposition candidate from the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The WAEF delegation also met with various civil society groups as part of their efforts to ensure smooth elections.
Jonathan emphasized the importance of the mission, stating, “Poorly organised elections are often a source of unrest in the region, which is why we are focusing on adhering to regional and international electoral protocols to prevent conflicts.”
He praised Ghana as a strong example of democratic stability in West Africa, adding, “Ghana stands out as a positive example of democratic practice. We are hopeful that the upcoming election will follow this tradition.”
The 2024 election will be Ghana’s ninth consecutive general election since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1992.
The WAEF, founded by Jonathan, is a non-partisan group of former West African leaders working to mediate election conflicts and promote democracy across the region. Since its creation in 2020, the Forum has played a key role in peaceful elections in countries like The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Senegal.
Ms. Ann Iyonu, head of the WAEF secretariat, noted, “This aligns with our primary objective of supporting West African nations in their efforts to strengthen their democracies.”
The delegation is expected to continue meeting with other important stakeholders, including Ghana’s Electoral Commission, the Electoral Security Task Force, and the National Peace Council, as they continue their pre-election assessment.
