Ghana’s general elections reasonably smooth – WAEF
The leader of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has described Ghana’s general elections as reasonably smooth.
WAEF, an election observer mission has been in the country to observe the general elections held last Saturday throughout the country.
The delegation also include former Burkinabe Prime Minister, Mr Kadre Ouedraogo and Ms Ann Iyonu, Secretary General of WAEF and Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) which is the secretariat of the Forum.
The delegation toured about 12 polling stations in the capital including La Bawaleshie Presbyterian School Park Polling Station in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, Osu Doku north polling station in the Korle Klottey Constituency and Royal Preparatory School polling station in the La Dadekotopon Constituency.
The group interacted with key stakeholders of the elections including security officers, electoral commissioners, agents of the political parties and independent observers.
Speaking to the media, the former Nigerian president said he was satisfied with the general output of the elections although there were pockets of few isolated incidences of violence in the Northern and Central regions, leading to deaths while others were injured.
“Ghana is a big country, and we only hope that the post-election period will be as peaceful especially as Ghana is known for its discipline,” he said.
He commended the people of Ghana for their commitment to democratic values, further alluding that Ghana’s history of peaceful political transitions serves as a beacon for democratic governance across the continent.
Dr Jonathan further applauded the security agencies for exhibiting strict professional conduct of neutrality and making sure the period leading to the elections was enabling thereby ensuring a credible polling process.
The former Nigerian leader disclosed that his delegation planned to engage with the observers from ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Commonwealth in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the election process.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY