The Commonwealth and African Union observer missions for Ghana’s 2024 general elections have called for sweeping electoral reforms, with a strong emphasis on how Electoral Commission (EC) commissioners are appointed.

In a joint report, the two groups recommended a transparent, merit-based appointment process with fixed terms and clear criteria, arguing it would eliminate political suspicion and strengthen the EC’s independence.

They also proposed lowering the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35, alongside similar reforms for parliamentary aspirants, to create opportunities for younger leadership.

According to the report, “Ghana’s youthful population is locked out of leadership.” The observers stressed that lowering the age limit would open the door for fresh, innovative leadership, but added that the real challenge lies in restoring trust in the EC.

The missions further recommended sustainable, non-political funding for the EC to avoid delays in election preparations; full enforcement of the vigilantism law; deployment of more trained officers at collation centres; and a stronger peace-building framework. They also proposed a comprehensive campaign finance law with mandatory disclosure of donations, spending caps, and the possibility of public funding for political parties.

The 2024 elections, Ghana’s ninth since returning to multi-party democracy, were generally peaceful, but the observers warned that these reforms must be implemented well before the next polls.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News on Thursday, August 14, Paul Mensah Abrampah, Programmes Director at the Centre for Democratic Development in charge of election security, described the proposals as long overdue.

“It’s been repetitive when you pick most of the observer mission reports, especially from 2012. We’ve had calls for the independent purging of politicians from top positions of election management bodies. It’s a good call because every opposition political party usually has an issue with the EC, mostly due to the appointment of top officials, particularly in the last two appointments and the circumstances surrounding them,” he said.

On the appointment process, Mr Abrampah recommended both legal and operational reforms.

“The operational processes include building broad consensus and allowing stakeholder input. If the president hints at a name, you allow time for recommendations and comments before the appointment. Legally, we could establish an independent appointment authority, like in Seychelles, which handles top positions including the EC. In Kenya, they advertise and allow qualified people to apply. There are many approaches to remove political influence from EC appointments,” he explained.

On Ghana’s vigilantism law, passed in 2019, Mr Abrampah expressed frustration over the lack of enforcement.

“I’m disappointed because of the work we put in after the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election. We developed the law, a political party code of conduct, and a roadmap to disband vigilante groups. Political parties were expected to submit reports confirming disbandment, but none did. Ahead of the 2024 elections, I said we were deceiving ourselves that vigilante groups had been disbanded,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Convener of the President@18 Movement, Ernesto Yeboah, welcomed the proposal to lower the presidential age limit but argued it should go even further.

“It’s welcome news by all standards. Frankly, it’s long overdue. But the question is, why not 18? At 18, we have the right to vote. At 18, one could enlist in the army and die for the country. If we believe an 18-year-old is capable of identifying a good president, why can’t that 18-year-old also present himself or herself for high public office? After all, it’s the people who are going to vote,” he said.