Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, arrived in Accra on Wednesday ahead of Ghana’s general elections scheduled for December 7.
Jonathan, leading a delegation from the West African Elders Forum (WAEF), is in the country to help ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming elections.
The WAEF’s communications officer, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, confirmed Jonathan’s arrival in Ghana through a statement issued to the press in Abuja on Wednesday, December 4. Upon his arrival, Jonathan urged Ghanaian citizens to embrace patriotism and work towards ensuring peaceful, free, and transparent elections.
The delegation, which includes key figures such as Mr. Kadre Ouedraogo, former Burkinabe Prime Minister and current President of ECOWAS, as well as Ms. Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, and Jonathan’s Special Adviser Ikechukwu Eze, was warmly received.
Jonathan commended Ghanaians for their unwavering commitment to democratic values, highlighting the nation’s exemplary record of peaceful political transitions as a model for Africa. He said, “The upcoming elections present another opportunity for Ghanaians to reinforce their dedication to democracy, stability, and development.”
The mission leaders also met with Ghana’s Electoral Commission and the nation’s security agencies, urging them to uphold their independence and impartiality to ensure a credible and trustworthy polling process. WAEF expressed its hope that the electoral commission would maintain its mandate of conducting free and fair elections, emphasizing the importance of transparency to build trust among the electorate and stakeholders.
“We encourage the security agencies to sustain their professional conduct, remain neutral, and ensure a peaceful electoral environment by safeguarding voting materials, polling stations, and citizens across the country,” the statement read.
Jonathan also called on political parties and candidates to reaffirm their commitment to peaceful campaigns, avoiding hate speech, inflammatory language, and personal attacks as the end of the campaign period approaches.
The former Nigerian leader further urged political stakeholders, especially the youth and party supporters, to follow the law and refrain from any form of intimidation or violence during and after the elections.
Describing Ghana as a beacon of democracy, Jonathan encouraged the public to protect the country’s democratic heritage by rejecting any actions that could undermine the election process. “By working together, Ghanaians can once again assert the country’s position as a model of democracy built on a tradition of peaceful, free, fair, and transparent elections,” he concluded.
