Report By: Ishmael Barfi
The Women Situation Room Ghana has expressed profound appreciation for the peaceful conduct of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, despite some incidents of violence during the collation of results.
The Women Situation Room is a consortium of women-led groups, including the UNOWAS Working Group on Women, Youth Peace, and Security, the African Women Leaders Network Ghana, and Women in Law and Development in Africa, Ghana, in collaboration with the Angie Brooks International Centre for Women Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security (ABIC).
Every four years, Ghanaians go to the polls to elect a new President and Parliamentarians and on the 7th December, 2024, Ghanaians exercised their right across the country.
In a press release signed by Theodora Anti, UNOWAS- WGWYPS, Dr. Charity Binka, AWLN Ghana, and Melody Darkey, WILDAF Ghana, Co-Convenors, the Women Situation Room commended the Electoral Commission for its professional conduct during the elections.
They also praised the women of Ghana and citizens in general for turning out to exercise their franchise. Special commendation was given to the Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for graciously conceding defeat, which helped quell mounting tensions in the country.
The Women Situation Room Ghana deployed 167 domestic election observers, 80% of whom were females, across eight regions.
These observers monitored the electoral process in approximately 1,055 polling stations, focusing on gender and youth inclusiveness in the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
Observers reported an efficient, orderly, and generally peaceful conduct of the polls on Saturday, 7th December 2024. Key findings included:
Opening of Polls: Approximately 84% of polling stations opened on time, with most following approved procedures, including the breaking of sealed, empty, and transparent ballot boxes in the presence of all.
General Voting Process: 99% of ballot papers were correctly stamped, and the secrecy of the ballot was guaranteed in about 96% of polling stations. The process was relatively quick, with short queues, and EC officials conducted themselves professionally.
Accessibility: Some polling stations were not easily accessible to persons with disabilities.
Gender Considerations: About 50% of polling station officers were females, and 66% were youth. However, only 19% of presiding officers were female, and only 1% of polling officials were Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The presence of political party agents averaged five per polling station, with only 28% being female. Adequate security was present at all polling stations, with 43% of security personnel being females. Provisions were made for nursing mothers, pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Closing of Polls: Most polling stations (91.4%) closed on time, with all rules and procedures followed. Votes were counted in the presence of the general public, party agents, and observers, and results were announced in about 92% of polling stations and accepted by party agents.
The Women Situation Room noted with concern the number of experienced female parliamentarians who lost their seats. They also reported a few incidents, including the regrettable shooting and killing of one person in Nyankpala in the Tolon constituency and clashes in some collation centers across the country.
Recommendations:
1. Improve and sustain collaborative work between the Electoral Commission, the Election Security Task Force, and other related agencies to ensure peaceful future elections.
2. Develop a comprehensive citizen education program on election security through the National Commission on Civic Education.
3. Develop strategies to increase women’s participation in peace and security and decision-making processes through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, CSOs, and other related agencies.
4. Effectively implement the Affirmative Action Act in the new government in 2025.
The Women Situation Room Ghana highly commended the Government and people of Ghana for successful elections.
The Release acknowledged the support of the African Women Development Fund (AWDF), the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, SIDA, and the Angie Brooks International Centre for Women Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security (ABIC).
And also expressed gratitude to ECOWAS Eminent Women and the National Peace Council for their support.
The Women Situation Room Ghana is a consortium of women groups and networks.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
