In an interview with GNA, Mr Carson said it was his first time observing elections in Ghana but has observed voting in other African countries.Comparing voting in Ghana to other African countries, he said: “Ghana has outstanding tradition of holding free, fair and impartial elections.

“It has also had peaceful elections which has built for itself a reputation of best democracies and also a peaceful changing of power.”Mr Carson expressed optimism that Ghana’s electoral history will continue today and show the way to other countries around the world.

He added that the observer group will be visiting about 12 different polling stations and return to observe the tabulation at Ridge Church School Polling Station.Frank Mensah, the Presiding Officer at the Ridge Church School Polling Station, said besides the delay in beginning the voting, everything was running smoothly.

He explained that the delay was because the centre was the last point of distribution of voting materials.NDI Ghana Election Mission Leadership is fielding an international election observation mission for Ghana's presidential and parliamentary elections today, December 7.Leadership of the delegation comprise Ambassador Johnnie Carson, former Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, U.S. State Department; Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, former Justice of the South African Constitutional Court; Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, Senior Associate and Regional Director for Africa, NDI; and Mr. Pat Merloe, Senior Associate and Director of Elections, NDI.

The delegation includes 30 political and civic leaders, elections experts, and regional specialists from 14 countries.