In a region beset by electoral inconstancy, Ghana is something of a role model for African elections. However, to ensure that an encouraging track record is maintained and strengthened, the European Commission is engaged in a programme of electoral reform support.
The action will be implemented via an innovative approach – for an Electoral Assistance programme - through the signature of grant contracts, directly awarded to the three Independent Government Institutions: The Electoral Commission, the National Media Commission and the National Commission for Civic Education.
According to Daria Fane of the European Union Delegation to Ghana, continued donor support to electoral reform was considered important to ensure that Ghana was able to build on the positive advances made in recent years.
“On the one hand, Ghana has run its elections so well that it is somehow setting a best practice example for the continent,” said Ms Fane. “On the other hand, it was still felt the elections were quite tight and there was a very strong underlying tension.”
“If there was not sufficient mobilisation of mechanisms and resources to make the elections more successful, then it could also slip into something more negative,” she added.
George Sarpong Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, echoed that message, adding that it was important that the EC’s support programme included a media monitoring component.
“In the last election, everybody was concerned about how the media had behaved,” said Mr Sarpong, explaining that the EC programme includes a media element.
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