EC accredits ACAA to observe December 7 polls

The Electoral Commission (EC) has accredited the Alliance for Christian Advocacy Africa (ACAA) to observe the December 7 presidential and parliamentary polls.

This is in furtherance of the EC’s commitment to transparent and peaceful elections. 

The Commission confirmed its decision in a letter dated November 1, 2024, and signed by its chairperson, Jean Mensa.

It said it was to allow the ACAA to contribute to a smooth electoral process.

"We trust that your organisation’s participation will promote peaceful elections and support academic research,” the letter read.

The Commission urged all observer groups to complete a training session by November 15, 2024. "Observers need to be fully accredited and trained to participate in the observation process," the letter stressed.

ACAA’s mission, role 

In a statement signed and issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the ACAA, Rev. Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, to announce the observer status granted to the group by the EC, said it aligned with its core objectives of encouraging “proactive social advocacy” and contributing to a “values-based” societal transformation.

It said, beyond the election observation, ACAA seeks to foster ethical leadership by creating Advocacy Clubs in schools, congregations, workplaces and communities.

This initiative, it said, was aimed at nurturing Christian advocates who would actively participate in shaping public policy and promoting social justice.

It added that the group also conducts research to understand and articulate the impact of Christian values on societal transformation and uses this research to develop educational resources.

It said, the ACAA, a non-denominational and non-partisan organisation, brings together Christian leaders from various professional and academic fields, both lay and ordained, to bridge the gap between Africa’s large Christian population and public policy issues. 

Its mission centred on ensuring that Christianity's growth across Africa positively influences social, economic and political spheres.