The Immediate Past Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, says the violence and deaths recorded in the 2020 elections do not speak well of the country as the citadel of democracy in Africa.
He said Ghana’s image has been tainted with regard to the electoral related deaths, adding that, a single life lost in an election is one too many.
Dr. Chambas was speaking at the opening of a three-day high-level post-election stakeholders review workshop on the 2020 general election at Ada in the Greater Accra Region.
GBC’s Justice Mingle reports that it is being organised by the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and other partners.
Dr Ibn Chambas said the December 7, 2020 polls, offered Ghana a major test to consolidate its leadership position in democracy on the continent but that was not to be, saying never again should any life be lost in an election going forward.
Dr Chambas stressed the need to build trust in national institutions to consolidate the country’s democracy. He urged participants to come out with recommendations that can be factored into any future electoral reforms.
Mr Chambas suggested that Youth and Women groups be given central roles in the electoral process going forward.