The Economic Community of West African States has appointed Nigeria’s former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, to lead its 120-member observation mission to Ghana’s presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 7, 2024.
Sambo, who previously led a successful ECOWAS observation mission to Niger Republic’s 2020 general elections, has expressed his commitment to serving the community.
He has assured the ECOWAS Commission President of his availability to work with the team and prayed for peaceful elections, according to ThisDay.
Ghana’s elections are expected to be highly contested, particularly between the ruling New Patriotic Party and the opposition National Democratic Congress.
The country is currently operating with a hung parliament, with no single party holding a majority in the 275-seat legislature.
The electoral landscape is diverse, with 27 political parties and 39 presidential candidates, including 12 from parties and 27 independents.
Former President John Mahama is running for the NDC, while Mahamudu Bawumia, incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo’s deputy, is the NPP’s candidate.
Ahead of the elections, ECOWAS sent a fact-finding mission to Ghana in July to assess the country’s preparedness.
Ghana has over 18.7 million registered voters and an estimated population of 34.4 million.
In related news, the Electoral Commission has requested the Ghana Freedom Party to replace its late presidential nominee, Madam Akua Donkor.
Incumbent President Akufo-Addo is not seeking re-election, having completed his two-term limit.
