Groupstand for Peace, Growth and Development pushes for transparency in Election 2024

Groupstand for Peace, Growth and Development, a prominent pressure group, has issued a call for transparency in the upcoming December 2024 polls in Ghana.

In a press release issued today by its Executive Director, Happy Agbenyenu, the group emphasized the critical importance of a transparent electoral process to prevent potential violence from disgruntled party members and their supporters.

“In light of the recent statement by the Electoral Commissioner, Madam Jean Mensa, urging political parties to accept the results of the upcoming polls in good faith, we wish to express our concerns and recommendations,” Agbenyenu stated.

The group appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to act as an independent referee during the December 7th election, specifically addressing numerous questions raised about the Commission's impartiality. 

The statement referenced recent concerns raised by former President John Dramani Mahama about perceived biases in the EC’s appointments. During an interview at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Mahama, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, cited alleged favoritism of the EC towards the ruling party.

Touching on the lingering question of the EC’s impartiality, the group acknowledged the innovations aimed at ensuring credible elections. 

However, they stressed that the true measure of these efforts lies in the Ghanaian electorate’s experience of elections characterized by transparency, fairness, and freedom. 

“These concerns, if not mitigated before the elections, could dampen the democratic gains chalked by the country’s democratic dispensation,” the group warned.

The statement concluded with a call for the Electoral Commission to implement additional measures to guarantee its independence and impartiality. It also urged the EC to embark on a comprehensive educational campaign across Ghana, ensuring that the populace is actively engaged and informed about the electoral process. 

Groupstand for Peace, Growth and Development’s call underscores the heightened scrutiny and expectations surrounding the 2024 elections, highlighting the need for a transparent and fair process to uphold Ghana’s democratic values.