Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia believes conducting free, fair and transparent elections in Africa is the panacea to sustaining the continent’s peace and political stability.
Bawumia was speaking on Thursday (8 August) at the official opening of the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA Forum 2024) in Accra, under the auspices of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The high-level meeting under the theme, “Strengthening Democratic Institutions for Political stability: crafting Africa’s response,” brought together all-inclusive participants in Africa and beyond.
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 presidential candidate in his key note address said, “Ghana’s democratic journey is a testament to the importance of nurturing democratic institutions. Our electoral processes are characterised by transparency and credibility, with institutions like the Electoral Commission (EC) playing a pivotal role in ensuring free and fair elections.
“The peaceful transition of power between different political parties over the past three decades is a hallmark of our democracy, demonstrating our commitment to upholding the will of the people,” he added.
He reflected on the forum’s theme, saying, “This year’s theme is both timely and critical. It underscores the pivotal role that robust democratic frameworks play in fostering political stability and socioeconomic progress.”
“Ghana, with its strong democratic track record, serves as an exemplary case study of both the successes and complexities of democratic consolidation in Africa. By leveraging Ghana’s experiences, this forum aims to spark solution-oriented conversations and foster a shared commitment to solidifying democratic institutions across the continent,” Bawumia said.
“As we gather here today, let us draw inspiration from Ghana’s experiences and commit to strengthening democracies across the Continent. Our collective efforts can transform Africa into a beacon of democracy, stability, and prosperity. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals provide a roadmap for achieving this vision,” he added
He entreated the stakeholders to renew a collective commitment to strengthening democratic governance across Africa.
“I urge all political leaders and stakeholders present here today to reaffirm our commitment to democracy, individual freedoms, and economic growth. Let us work together to strengthen our democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law, and create an environment where every African can have a decent shot at making it in life.
The future of Africa depends on our actions today, and together, we can craft a response that ensures a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow for our continent.”
Bawumia believes it is possible to succeed President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo Addo’s stellar performance.
“In Ghana, we have witnessed significant achievements under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo. Our government’s emphasis on education, healthcare, and digitalisation has led to remarkable progress in these areas. The introduction of free senior high school education has opened doors for countless young Ghanaians, ensuring that education remains a cornerstone of our national development. Our healthcare initiatives, particularly the expansion of health care infrastructure and improvement of the National Health Insurance Scheme, have significantly enhanced access to medical services for all Ghanaians.”
The vice-president sent best wishes to all presidential aspirants contesting upcoming general elections in Africa.
“I wish to extend my best wishes to all political parties and candidates in their upcoming elections, including myself, as Ghana heads towards its general elections this December, in what is earmarked to be a historic moment for our nation’s democracy.”
Active participants at the forum were the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in Uganda, Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa, Unity Party in Liberia, PDCI-RDA in Côte d’Ivoire, Popular Democratic Movement in Namibia, The Third Republic Party in Tunisia, The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) in Mozambique, Kenya African National Union in Kenya and RENAMO in Mozambique.
The rest were Forces Démocratiques Pour LaRépublique (FDR) in Togo, People’s Movement For Democratic Change (PMDC) in Sierra Leone, Peoples Democratic Party in Nigeria, the National Grand Coalition Party in Sierra Leone, UNITA in Angola, CHADEMA in Tanzania, the Istiqlal Party in Morocco, Malawi Congress Party in Malawi, the ACDP in South Africa, the Democratic Party in Uganda, and Unión de Centro Derecha (UCD) in Equatorial Guinea.”
Reporting by ABDUL KARIM NAATOGMAH in Accra
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