President Akufo Addo has called on member states of the Economic Committee of West Africa States (ECOWAS), to strive to perfect the holding of free, fair and credible elections on the continent. 

Addressing the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria, President Akufo-Addo indicated that despite few identified challenges with the holding of elections, the continent is much better off with democracy than dictatorship.

“Recently we have continued to observe elections across member states. Reports and recommendations from observer missions, of which members of Parliament are essential part of, indicate that there are lots of challenges and improvements to be made to our electoral systems,” he said.

According to him, through free, fair and credible elections, the continent will be guaranteed peace, stability and development. 

President Akufo-Addo stated that because the democracies of member states are still young and fragile, there may be hurdles when implementing the recommendations. 

President Akufo-Addo said regardless of these hurdles, he believes the various countries can work to strengthen democracy in their respective countries.

“A lot though depends on the holding of free, fair and credible elections for which we must continue to strive to perfect. Peace, stability, growth and development are all pursuits of a society with strong and credible electoral system and strong institutions.”

He charged every citizen of ECOWAS to make polling exercises honorable by adhering to the principles of mutual respect and fairness.