The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially refuted claims that it predicted violence during Ghana’s upcoming general elections, which are scheduled for December 7, 2024.
This denial comes in response to a report by The Herald newspaper, which suggested that a recent ECOWAS pre-election mission had forecasted violent disturbances due to a tense political climate.
In a statement issued on August 21, 2024, ECOWAS condemned the article published by The Herald, labelling it sensationalist and misleading. The statement also denounced the newspaper’s coverage, which it described as a distortion of the mission’s findings.
“The attention of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been drawn to a sensational article by The Herald tabloid of August 21 2024, which falsely claimed that ECOWAS had predicted violence at Ghana’s 2024 polls,” the statement read. ECOWAS categorically rejected the newspaper’s report as dishonest.
The organization clarified that its pre-election missions do not publicly disclose their findings, which are confidential and intended solely for the Commission’s president.
It emphasized that the mission’s preliminary report is still under review and that ECOWAS had not, at any point, forecast violence in the electoral process.
“The preliminary report is still undergoing quality control. At no time before, during, or after the Fact-Finding Mission has ECOWAS ‘predicted violence’ in the electoral process,” the statement stressed.
ECOWAS criticized The Herald for attempting to misuse its name to create discord among Ghanaians. The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana in ensuring a transparent, inclusive, and peaceful election.
“The Commission condemns any attempts by sections of the media to misuse the name of ECOWAS in efforts to incite discord among the over 32 million peace-loving people of Ghana,” the statement added. “Ghana deserves better.”
ECOWAS reaffirmed its confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions and its continued support for its electoral process, pledging to deliver a fair and peaceful election in December 2024.
