The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has denied predicting violence in Ghana’s 2024 general elections.
The Herold tabloid reported that ” ECOWAS Mission predicts violence at Ghana’s 2024 polls”.
But ECOWAS in a statement stated that the report is not true.
“The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been drawn to a sensational article by The Herold tabloid of 21 August 2024 purported to capture ‘a draft statement’ on the findings of its recent Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission to Ghana under the crudely misleading banner ECOWAS Mission predicts violence at Ghana’s 2024 polls. The Commission categorically denounces the tabloid’s dishonest reportage.” The statement said.
“To educate The Herold, ECOWAS pre-electoral Missions do not issue statements on their findings. Besides, reports of such missions are confidential and meant only for the eyes of the President of the Commission to aid his engagements with the authorities in the Member States. In this instance, the preliminary report is still undergoing quality control. At no time before, during and after the Fact-Finding Mission has ECOWAS ‘predicted violence’ in the electoral process. The Commission therefore finds it preposterous that The Herold would disingenuously repeat the standard operating procedures of ECOWAS fact-finding missions, twist issues that are in the public domain in Ghana and try to push its partisan conclusions into the mouth of ECOWAS.” ECOWAS added.
The Commission condemned the attempt to misuse the name of ECOWAS in their vain attempts to sow discord among the over 32 million peace-loving people of Ghana through manipulation, partisan positions and veiled incitement to intolerance and violence.
“The ECOWAS Commission rightly holds Ghana in high esteem as a model of maturing democracy and tolerance on the continent and often cites the country for regulation in the region. The Commission, therefore, condemns any attempts by sections of the media to misuse the name of ECOWAS in their vain attempts to sow discord among the over 32 million peace-loving people of Ghana through manipulation, partisan positions and veiled incitement to intolerance and violence. Ghana deserves better,” Part of the statement read.
ECOWAS pledged to support the Government and people of Ghana to ensure transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections in the December 7 polls.
“The ECOWAS Commission reiterates its trust in the resilience of democratic institutions in Ghana. It will continue to accompany the Government and people of Ghana to once again deliver transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections in December 2024.”
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
