Abednego Orstin Rawlings, President of the United States Africa Command in Ghana, has issued an open letter to the United Nations, urging immediate international oversight of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) ahead of the country’s general elections on December 7, 2024.
In his statement, Mr. Rawlings raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the voter register, citing the bloating of voter rolls and unauthorized transfers of voters between constituencies.
These issues, he warned, could undermine Ghana’s democratic process and potentially lead to unrest.
According to Rawlings, the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has flagged significant discrepancies in constituencies such as Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam.
Recent audits, he noted, revealed a total of 3,017 voter transfers in the area, some allegedly facilitated by individuals exploiting the credentials of Electoral Commission officials.
Despite calls for a forensic audit of the voter register, Rawlings accused the EC, led by Chairperson Jean Mensa, of dismissing these concerns.
“Free and fair elections are essential for democracy,” Rawlings wrote, emphasizing that unchecked election fraud could result in conflict, destabilizing not just Ghana but the broader West African region.
He cited previous election-related violence in Ghana, including eight fatalities in the last general elections, as a stark reminder of the stakes.
Rawlings appealed to the United Nations, the European Union, and other international bodies to intervene and ensure electoral integrity.
He stressed the importance of voter rights, transparent processes, and the avoidance of manipulative practices by electoral authorities.
The opposition’s demand for forensic auditing has reportedly been met with resistance from the EC, exacerbating tensions.
The situation has prompted plans for mass demonstrations across the country as citizens call for greater transparency and accountability.
“The world must not stand by while Ghana’s democratic fabric is at risk,” Rawlings stated. He called for international election experts to collaborate with Ghana’s EC to rebuild public trust and ensure a peaceful, credible electoral process.
The upcoming general election will see political parties vying for power in a nation often regarded as a democratic leader in West Africa.
However, Rawlings warned that failure to address these electoral issues could jeopardize Ghana’s stability and reputation as a democratic beacon in the region.