A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on election monitoring, led by the Centre for Conflict Resolution-Ghana (CENCOR), has expressed disappointment over the Electoral Commission of Ghana’s (EC) decision to deny them accreditation for monitoring the upcoming 2024 General Elections.
The coalition argues that this decision signals a lack of transparency and accountability by the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, which could have significant implications for public trust in the electoral process and her leadership.
The affected organizations include the Centre for Conflict Resolution-Ghana (CENCOR), the Jatikay Centre for Human Security and Peace Building, the Human Security Research Center Ghana, and the FESF Foundation.
At a press conference, Adib Saani, Security Analyst and Executive Director of the Jatikay Centre, called on the EC to reconsider its stance and provide accreditation to all eligible CSOs that applied to observe the elections, underscoring the role of independent monitoring in promoting credibility and confidence in the election process.
“It is indeed a grievous affront to the democracy it has taken all of us so much effort to build. Mrs Jean Mensa’s unjustified denial of accreditation to the CSOs is not only a breach of the rights of our organisations to participate and contribute to ensuring a free, fair and credible electoral process that the EC itself professes to espouse but also raises critical questions about the EC’s commitment to an open and democratic election process.
“It is not only surprising but worrying that the EC Chairperson could act with such impunity as to disrespectfully refuse or deny accreditation to CSOs to observe the upcoming elections”
Meanwhile Executive Director of the Centre for Conflict Resolution-Ghana, Lt. Gen. Arnold Quainoo (Retired), on his part expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the credibility and longstanding reputation of his organization.
“You need certain qualities to be an observer. You need credibility, you need to have strong moral standing. Physically you have to be strong to endure, you must be honest. you must be capable of calling a spade a spade.
“For me, if you have those qualities and we need people to do that job and you are denied or told to step aside and you do not know whether it is because you don’t have those qualities. That is worrying”
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