As Ghana gears up for its 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, ECOWAS has appointed former Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo to lead an observer mission focused on promoting fair and peaceful elections. The mission, consisting of 120 members, will closely monitor the December 7 election, aiming to support Ghana’s democracy and maintain stability in the region.

The appointment was confirmed after a meeting between Sambo and an ECOWAS delegation led by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah. The delegation, which included ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray, briefed Sambo on Ghana’s current political situation and ECOWAS’s plans for a successful observer mission.

With experience from a previous ECOWAS election mission in Niger, Sambo expressed his commitment to ensuring peaceful elections in Ghana. Earlier this year, in July, ECOWAS had already conducted a fact-finding mission to assess Ghana’s election preparedness.

This year’s election is marked by rising political tension, especially between the two main parties, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). Ghana’s 275-seat parliament is currently evenly divided, with no single party holding a clear majority. Former President John Mahama will run for the NDC, while Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia represents the NPP.

The 2024 election will see a large number of presidential candidates, including 12 party candidates and 27 independents, showing the intense competition for leadership. Recently, the Electoral Commission also requested the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) to nominate a new presidential candidate after the passing of its previous nominee, Madam Akua Donkor.

With over 18.7 million registered voters out of Ghana’s 34.4 million population, this election will play a critical role in shaping the nation’s future. Sambo’s appointment and the ECOWAS mission’s involvement emphasize the region’s commitment to supporting transparent and credible elections. As election day approaches, the mission’s presence aims to strengthen public trust and contribute to a peaceful electoral process.