Ex-Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Accra, Ghana’s capital, on Wednesday, December 4, in preparation for the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 7.
The former president led a delegation from the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) to the country to ensure the smooth conduct of the general election coming up this weekend.
The communications officer for WAEF, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, confirmed the WAEF’s arrival in Ghana via a statement made available to Newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, December 4.
Upon his arrival in Ghana, Jonathan encouraged the citizens to embrace patriotism and strive for elections that are peaceful, free, and transparent.
The delegation also includes notable figures such as former Burkinabe Prime Minister and current President of ECOWAS, Mr. Kadre Ouedraogo; Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms. Ann Iyonu; and Jonathan’s Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze.
Jonathan praised the Ghanaian populace for their steadfast dedication to democratic principles, emphasizing that the nation’s track record of peaceful political transitions serves as an exemplary model for democratic governance throughout Africa.
“The upcoming elections present another opportunity for Ghanaians to reinforce their dedication to democracy, stability, and development,” the former Nigerian leader stated.
The mission leaders also instructed the electoral commission of Ghana and the security agencies to adhere to their responsibilities of independence and impartiality in order to guarantee a trustworthy polling process.
It said: “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.”
Jonathan urged political parties, candidates, and all relevant stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and committed to addressing any disputes through legal and constitutional means.
He also encouraged the youth and party supporters to adhere to the law during and after the elections, steering clear of intimidation or violent behavior.
Characterizing Ghana as a beacon of democracy, Jonathan called upon Ghanaians to protect the nation’s democratic heritage by denouncing violence, intimidation, and any actions that may compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
“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,” he said.
