I won’t change EC laws 6 months to polls’ – Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his belief in the principles of democratic accountability, which, he says, constitutes the basis of good governance in Ghana.
Speaking at the 2nd Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum, held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), on Wednesday, 8 December 2021, President Akufo-Addo pledged to continue to respect the tenets of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
Specifically, the President stated: “I will not make or cause to be made any substantial modification to the electoral laws in the last six months before the next election; and I will respect the two-term limit for the exercise of presidential authority, as stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana”.
Continuing, he stressed: “I will not be an impediment to the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections; and I will hand over power to the next elected President on 7 January 2025.”
President Akufo-Addo assured the participants that he will rally his fellow ECOWAS Heads of States to take the pledge, “and support them as they continue to work towards democracy and good governance in their respective countries”.
Beacon of Democracy
Delivering his speech, the President stated that Ghana is often touted as a beacon of democracy in Africa, and has won plaudits for her democratic credentials.
Though still fraught with challenges, he indicated that Ghanaian democracy has been consolidated with the conduct of eight elections, five presidential transitions, three of which resulted in the peaceful transfer from one political party to another.
“We want to be seen as a positive influence in other African countries who continue to face challenges with democratic consolidation,” he added.
