The report was presented by EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Ramiandrasoa Razaaly, to Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), during a brief ceremony in Accra on Tuesday evening.

Quoting from the findings of the two-month assessment, Ambassador Razaaly stated: “The presidential and parliamentary elections were competitive, well-conducted, and characterised by a generally peaceful and inclusive campaign. The elections met most regional and international obligations, with civil and political rights—such as freedoms of association, assembly, movement, speech, and the right to vote—upheld.”

He commended the Ghanaian government, Electoral Commission, and citizens for reinforcing the country’s democratic credentials through peaceful polls, despite some operational challenges.

“The openness and transparency demonstrated by the Electoral Commission played a key role in the successful conduct of the 2024 elections,” he noted.

Ambassador Razaaly also highlighted Ghana’s positive influence across the continent, noting that the country’s electoral conduct had been “inspiring” to other African nations.

“We’ve met with many of your peers from across Africa, and I must say the overall conduct of Ghana’s election has been an inspiration. Ghana is a country where people freely express dissent and opinions—a hallmark of a healthy democracy.”

He reflected on interactions with ordinary Ghanaians, adding: “Whether in Makola Market, Korle-Bu, or Chorkor, people shared their views honestly. While they may have frustrations, they expressed a deep commitment to preserving Ghana’s democracy.”

The EU envoy acknowledged progress made since the 2020 elections, including the enhanced role of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the removal of legal obstacles to women’s participation in politics.

However, he also outlined key areas for improvement:

Strengthening identity verification for new registrants

• Reviewing the guarantor system

• Regulating campaign financing and the use of public funds

• Intensifying efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation

He further recommended enhancing ballot reconciliation procedures and ensuring timely and accurate collation of results at both constituency and regional levels.

In her response, Jean Mensa welcomed the report and pledged the EC’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“We intend to use both the technical insights and the broader recommendations from this report to better serve the people of Ghana,” she said, describing the findings as a fair reflection of the realities on the ground.

She stressed the importance of public education and stakeholder engagement in promoting electoral transparency and fairness, and called for a national dialogue on campaign finance legislation and enhanced electoral governance.

Mrs. Mensa also expressed appreciation for the EC’s collaboration with the EU Election Expert Mission, expressing hope for an even stronger partnership in the 2028 elections.