UN Special Representative visits Ghana, advocates peaceful elections

Leonardo Santos Simão, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) has concluded a three-day visit to Ghana.

His visit included participation in a stakeholder forum in Kumasi on July 30, aimed at preparing for the upcoming presidential elections on December 7, 2024.

During his stay, Mr. Simão held meetings with several key figures, including Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, former President and National Democratic Congress flagbearer John Mahama, Ashanti Regional Minister Honorable Simon Osei-Mensah, and Rev. Ernest Adu Gyamfi, Chairman of the Board of the National Peace Council (NPC), as well as representatives from various media houses.

At the Kumasi stakeholder forum, Mr. Simão emphasized the importance of peaceful elections, urging stakeholders to strengthen their commitment through responsible behavior, collaboration, and continuous dialogue. He underscored that the upcoming elections will be a crucial test for Ghana’s 30-year-old democratic process.

The Special Representative reiterated the United Nations’ readiness to support Ghana’s democratic consolidation. Last week, Barrie Freeman, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, attended a similar stakeholder forum in Tamale. These forums, organized by the National Peace Council with support from UNOWAS, are part of ongoing efforts to ensure peaceful, inclusive, transparent, free, and fair elections in Ghana.

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