The Chair of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC), Dr. Jonathan Sandy, has called on Ghana’s media and security agencies to work in close collaboration to ensure a peaceful and credible election process for the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections. He made this appeal at a Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Forum organized by Kingdom Concept Consult in partnership with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
Speaking on the theme, “Safeguarding Peace Before, During, and After Election 2024: The Role of the Media and Security Actors,” Dr. Sandy emphasized the vital roles both sectors play in preserving democratic governance and preventing electoral violence. He urged for cooperation between the media and security forces to strengthen electoral integrity, ensure transparency, and prevent election-related violence.
“Ghana matters to the rest of Africa, and must continue to be a beacon of hope in consolidating electoral democracy,” Dr. Sandy remarked, underscoring the significance of Ghana’s stability for the ECOWAS region and the continent at large.
With African elections becoming increasingly competitive and contentious, Dr. Sandy identified several triggers for electoral violence, including the “Winner-Takes-All” system and insufficient voter education. He urged the media to report responsibly, while stressing the need for security forces to act impartially and professionally throughout the electoral process.
During the forum, Erastus Asare-Donkor, a Senior Broadcast Journalist with the Multimedia Group, warned of the dangers of bias in media reporting and premature election result declarations, which could incite violence. He also expressed concerns about attacks on journalists and called for stronger cooperation between the media and security agencies to ensure the safety of reporters.
Princess Sekyere-Bih, Director of Kingdom Concepts Consult, highlighted the importance of balance between media coverage and security measures, noting that excessive security presence could intimidate media professionals and hinder the free flow of information. In his remarks, KAIPTC Commandant Major General Richard Addo Gyane pointed to the changing dynamics of African politics, which have led to increased election-related conflicts. He stressed the importance of collaboration and information-sharing between the media and security agencies to uphold the integrity of the 2024 election outcomes.