The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed ongoing concerns about the electoral processes leading up to Ghana’s 2024 general elections.

The party has already raised several issues regarding the country’s provisional electoral roll. Tensions are rising as the opposition party cites a lack of trust in the Electoral Commission (EC), the killing of some Ghanaians during the 2020 election, and other unresolved matters as obstacles to signing a peace pact with the National Peace Council.

• Read also: No peace pact until 2020 election violence dealt with – Asiedu Nketia

Ahead of the crucial Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, the sub-regional body ECOWAS is conducting a mediation meeting with all stakeholders in partnership with the National Peace Council.

Speaking to JoyNews, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, George Amoh, urged the NDC to embrace dialogue to address their concerns. He added that the recent court ruling on the 2020 post-election violence indicates progress towards reaching an agreement on the peace pact.

“We will do everything within our mandate to address any outstanding differences before the December elections, and we are hopeful that all parties will agree to sign the peace pact. Negotiation, mediation, and dialogue have always been enduring mechanisms for resolving differences, and we want to encourage that.”

In an interview with JoyNews, a leading member of the National Democratic Congress, Kakra Essamuah expressed concerns about the Electoral Commission (EC) as the December elections approach. They are hopeful that the upcoming emergency meeting with the EC will lead to a positive outcome.

Mr Essamuah stated that signing the peace pact alone does not guarantee peace; rather, peace is achieved through justice. He also noted that the NDC remains dissatisfied with the electoral violence that occurred in 2020 and insists that those responsible must be held accountable.

“We need peace and must work very hard for it, but we cannot achieve peace merely by signing a document.”

The UN Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Charles Abani, is urging all political parties to reach a consensus and commit to signing the peace pact before the December elections.

Speaking at the ITU-INTERPOL Regional Cybersecurity Drill for Africa in Accra, Mr Abani emphasised that the peace pact is a crucial indicator of their intention to conduct a peaceful and successful election.

“It is important to urge all parties to find the necessary compromise, conversation, and pragmatism to ensure that we have the peace pact signed. I know that many actors support this, and I am confident that all parties will come to the table when the time is right.”