By Benjamin A. Commey
Accra, Nov 21, GNA – Ms. Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has expressed confidence that the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in December 2024 will see a significant voter turnout.
According to her, findings from the Commission’s recent research, “Matters of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter,” show that many Ghanaians are eager to vote, with expectations of at least a 70 per cent voter turnout on election day.
Her remarks come in response to concerns raised by political commentators and civil society organizations about potential voter apathy ahead of the December polls.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra on Wednesday, Ms. Addy said the research showed that people do want to vote.
She added that since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, Ghana had consistently recorded around 70 per cent voter turnout in presidential and parliamentary elections, reflecting a strong interest in the voting process.
Ms. Addy expressed optimism that the 2024 elections would follow this trend, with hopes for an even higher turnout on the day.
“Everything from our history has indicated that Ghanaians will turn out to vote. So far, over the Fourth Republic, we have consistently maintained around 70 per cent voter turnout for the presidential and parliamentary elections.
“I am sure that this year we will meet the 70 per cent target that we have had over the years. It is not a target, but it is the turnout.
“The 70 per cent turnout that we’ve had, I’m pretty sure we’ll meet it or be very close to it or even exceed it this year,” she said.
Ms. Addy, however, emphasized the importance of increasing voter education ahead of December 7 to further boost voter turnout.
She said that the Commission would intensify its efforts to engage citizens and encourage them to participate in the elections.
Ms. Addy also reiterated the NCCE’s commitment to promoting issue-based campaigns, fostering peace, and ensuring active citizen participation.
She assured the public that the Commission would continue working tirelessly to ensure that every voter is well-informed, every candidate has a platform to be heard, and that the election process remained peaceful.
Ms. Addy expressed concern over the lack of interest from parliamentary candidates, especially from the two major political parties— the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC)— in participating in the ongoing parliamentary candidates’ dialogue.
The dialogue, organized by the NCCE in collaboration with the Inter-Party Dialogue Committees, was designed to provide candidates with a platform to present their policies and visions for their constituencies.
It also aimed to promote transparency and accountability while offering voters an opportunity to seek clarification on party policies.
The dialogue focuses on six priority issues of concern to the Ghanaian voter: education, employment, health, roads and infrastructure, the economy, and agriculture.
Ms. Addy said it was regrettable that some parliamentary candidates were “refusing to participate in the dialogues,” calling the situation unfortunate.
She stressed, “The NCCE believes that these engagements are essential for fostering an informed electorate and ensuring a peaceful, issue-based campaign leading up to the 2024 elections.”
Ms. Addy urged political parties to actively participate in the dialogue to strengthen the country’s democracy, saying that it also provided an opportunity for them to highlight their party policies.
“We reiterate the call on all political parties to demonstrate their commitment to deepening Ghana’s democracy by allowing their candidates to freely engage in these debates, which serve as a vital tool for encouraging political dialogue, civic engagement, and the peaceful conduct of the elections,” she entreated.
She also urged Ghanaians to actively participate in the process to help build a stronger democracy.
GNA