The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has deployed 100 Long-Term Observers (LTOs) across all 16 regions of Ghana to monitor the pre-election environment leading up to the presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2024.
The observation mission began on October 1 and will continue until December 4, 2024. The LTOs will focus on monitoring activities at the constituency level, including the roles of key stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission (EC), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), National Peace Council (NPC), political parties, security agencies, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and the media.
A statement from CODEO, signed by its National Coordinator Albert Kofi Arhin, highlighted that the observers would track incidents of electoral misconduct, including intimidation, vote buying, harassment, and violence. The aim of the mission is to promote peaceful and transparent elections.
Training for Observers
Before deployment, the observers underwent a two-day training workshop held in Koforidua and Kumasi. The training was designed to equip the LTOs with the necessary skills to carry out their duties effectively.
Dr. Kojo Asante, Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), emphasized the importance of the long-term observation. He stated, “Our long-term observation mission is essential in promoting transparency and building public confidence in the electoral process. By deploying observers months before election day, we can identify potential and emerging issues and hotspots early and work with stakeholders to address them for a free, fair and credible election.”
Mr. Arhin reaffirmed CODEO’s commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s electoral integrity. “CODEO’s commitment to electoral integrity in Ghana spans decades, and it’s through the dedication of citizen observers like yourselves that we’ve been able to make significant contributions to our democratic process,” he noted.
Frederick Adu-Gyamfi, Director of Programmes and Operations at CDD-Ghana, also urged the LTOs to approach their duties with accuracy and honesty, while prioritizing their personal safety. “Your personal safety is paramount—always prioritise your well-being and adhere to the safety protocols we’ve outlined,” Adu-Gyamfi cautioned.
Monitoring the Campaigns
In addition to observing electoral activities, CODEO called on all political parties to conduct their campaigns responsibly. They emphasized the importance of issue-based discourse and urged politicians to avoid inciting violence or promoting ethnic divisions.
The Coalition also encouraged the EC to maintain transparency by providing accurate and timely election-related information.
CODEO plans to keep the public informed through bi-weekly press releases, summarizing the key observations reported by the LTOs as the election date approaches.