International observers who witnessed the Sunday December 7 polls in Ghana have commended the nation for conducting another peaceful elections. The observers noted that the friendly atmosphere under which the elections were conducted has indeed consolidated Ghana’s democracy, adding that the whole process had been “peaceful, transparent and credible”. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) observing team in Ghana lauded the EC for living up to its motto of “transparency, fairness and integrity”. With that not withstanding, General Yakubu Gowon, a former Head of State of Nigeria, who headed the 200-member ECOWAS observer team that arrived in Ghana on Wednesday to monitor the national exercise, said the team would continue to monitor the final phase of the elections. The observers are expected to comment and make recommendations about the December 7 elections. In a report compiled by the ECOWAS team on Monday evening, the team condemned government’s closure of the Ghana-Togo border on Saturday; contrary to earlier announcement that the border would not be closed. “While ECOWAS appreciate the effort of Ghana Government to take all appropriate measures to safeguard the territorial integrity and security the state in delicate times, the mission regrets the closure of the country’s border from 10:00am local time on December 6, 2008 without prior warning to the public, thus restricting human and vehicular movement across the country’s common borders with neighbouring state.” The ECOWAS observing team advised government and political parties to encourage women and youth participation in political processes at all levels, “particularly in seeking elective post”. The team also recommended that polling centres that saw long queues, which apparently delayed the voting process, should be doubled to facilitate voting process in future. The EC was also asked to work and improve on the process of voter transfers; since the failure to execute proper voter transfer in this year’s general elections saw a number of electorate being disenfranchised. The team also expressed concern about funding of political campaigns. “The EC should initiate the process of enactment of legislation on campaign financing to check the monitarisation of the electoral process.” To avoid any doubt of manipulation when counting eats into the night, the team urged the EC to provide electricity backup, especially, at places where there is no power supply. The team charged the EC, National Commission on Civic Education and relevant non-governmental organizations to organize more capacity workshops for polling officials, party agents and observers in order to further improve the voting and monitoring process. DCOP Appiah Ofori, Police Public Relation Officer, has expressed delight in the way and manner Ghanaians have conducted themselves so far. He however said the police would still be on guard to protect the citizenry and ensure that no individuals or group of people take the country into ransom. Mr. Ofori therefore cautioned the general public to observe the tranquillity each and everyone is enjoying and avoid engaging in activities that may inflame passions or cause confusion. Story by Isaac Essel