Ghana had its general elections on December 7, 2024, to elect the president and 276 members of parliament. The candidate of the opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, overwhelmingly defeated Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate of the ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP) in an election that was locally and internationally applauded as being credible and transparent.
Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s elections where results are often subjects of controversy, Nigerians suggest how to make future elections transparent, credible and acceptable to all parties.
Ruling party shouldn’t influence elections – Prof. Edward Ogunleye, lecturer at EKSU, Ado-Ekiti
It’s quite obvious that Ghana’s ruling party did not influence the elections. The electorate, who were apparently disenchanted with the ruling party, were allowed to vote freely. It’s therefore quite clear that it is possible for democracy to thrive in Africa. The Ghanaian experience shows that democracy is more mature there than in Nigeria.
Electoral body should have financial autonomy – Oyesiji Arimiyau, civil servant, Ado Ekiti
The electoral body should be totally independent. Electoral body should have financial autonomy in such a way that there won’t be a need for them to ask anything from political office holders like the president, governors etc.
People in government should be honest and allow the votes of the electorate to count. There should be stiffer laws to punish electoral offenders irrespective of their positions in the society.
Ghana’s electoral umpire didn’t change the rules, guidelines – Sunday Oibe, CAN Northern States and FCT Secretary General, Kaduna
I commend Ghana’s electoral process, especially its innovations and political stability as key factors in the smooth conduct of its 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections. When an electoral umpire discharges its duty dutifully, devoid of compromises, even the loser will accept the results, congratulate the winner and the electorate will jubilate like what is being demonstrated in Ghana.
Is the chief electoral umpire in Nigeria capable of bringing innovations to the Nigeria electioneering process that can bring political stability? Will he ever conduct any election in which both the winners and losers will shake hands, hug each other and joyfully accept the outcome? We did not hear the electoral umpire in Ghana changing the rules and guidelines set by the agency itself. We didn’t hear them telling the aggrieved to go to court. Rather than commending Ghanaian electoral umpire, Nigeria’s electoral chief should replicate the same back at home.
Nigerians should help promote democratic tenets – Anthony Sani, former scribe of ACF
In Nigeria, there is the impression that all victors in elections do so by rigging. That is to suggest all elections are rigged. In Nigeria we are happy to demonise democratic institutions like INEC instead of supporting it to improve by the day for enhanced performance. See how our oppositions applaud the court whenever they win their cases, and condemn the court when they lose. I am sure if Nigerians respect and help promote democratic tenets and the institutions, our democracy would improve and be stable like in Ghana. It is a question of ethos.
Nigeria should learn from Ghana – Kris Atsaka, journalist, Makurdi
It is instructive for Nigeria to realise that smaller African countries that should learn from Nigeria have advanced.
Ghana is a classical example of a nation, fast advancing in areas like economy, education and politics as can be attested to by the recent election, which was widely acclaimed as flawless. Going forward, Nigeria cannot afford to fall at least below the expected bar. Ghana has truly thrown up the challenge to Nigeria to learn.
Nigeria should learn that election is not a do or die affair – Jeremiah Kume, civil servant, Makurdi
The Ghana election is an example for Nigeria to emulate. It’s rather unfortunate that Nigeria which prides herself as the giant of Africa has to look to younger countries to learn how to conduct elections and allow the votes to count.
As can be seen in the Ghana election, Nigeria should learn that politics or election is not a do or die affair. Going forward, we should allow the votes count, we must allow the will of the majority to be upheld rather than force candidates on the people. That is not true democracy.
Nigeria must adopt transparency and fairness – Dr. Idrissu Quadir, medical doctor, Lafia
Nigeria should adopt similar principles of transparency and fairness in its electoral system. Ghana has shown that democracy can thrive when there is trust in the electoral process. Nigeria must strengthen its institutions, ensure independence for its electoral bodies, and invest in technologies that minimise fraud to rebuild citizens’ confidence in elections.
It’s an opportunity for Nigeria to reassess its electoral process – Abdullahi Ibrahim Osanga, retired broadcaster, Lafia
I commend Ghana’s commitment to free and fair elections. Nigeria can learn from Ghana’s ability to conduct elections devoid of violence and post-election disputes. The seamless transition of power is a testament to their political maturity, which we must strive to emulate in future elections.
The Ghanaian election serves as a beacon of hope for democracy in Africa, offering Nigeria an opportunity to reassess its electoral processes ahead of future elections.
The wishes of the people should be upheld in elections – Emmanuel Obe, journalist, Port Harcourt
Elections in Ghana have come to be the instrument of holding governments accountable to the people. Leaders that fail are voted out with the electoral commission playing the role of an impartial umpire. That’s where Nigeria has failed.
Nigeria’s electoral commission has not been able to deliver credible elections and this has created mistrust among the people about elections and the governments that eventually win elections. It is now believed that the economic progress that Ghana has been able to make is directly related to the transparency and credibility of its electoral processes. This has proved that there cannot be genuine development and delivery of democracy dividends in Nigeria if the wishes of the people cannot be upheld in elections.
Learn how to strengthen institutions -Daniel Madubuike, media practitioner, Umuahia
The elections in Ghana are something that should be roundly commended. What happened showed that the electoral body in that country is truly independent both in name and in action.
The lesson Nigeria should learn from Ghana is how to deemphasise building of strong personalities at the expense of its institutions. Nigeria should learn how to strengthen her institutions, of which INEC is one of them if we want to be getting good results from these institutions.
Nigeria should strive to build strong institutions – Tony Obioha -public analyst, Umuahia
The Ghanaian electoral body has made not only Ghana, but the whole of Africa proud by the outcome of that election because Africa has remained a continent where ruling parties hardly lose election, even at the local government level, as is the case in Nigeria.
Nigeria should learn from Ghana in that regard. The lesson Nigeria should learn from Ghana is to strive to build strong institutions and not strong persons.
Political players have a lot to learn from Ghana – Tony Erha, activist, Benin
The processes of democracy and governance in Ghana are much more credible than in Nigeria, because that country’s institution are more public-oriented, whereas Nigerian public institutions, like INEC and the judiciary need to urgently carry out reforms and institutional entrenchment.
Political players, as well as the electorate have a lot to learn from Ghana’s situations.
INEC must strive for greater transparency – Dr. Bright Oniovokukor, medical doctor, Benin
Nigeria’s electoral process has shown some improvements, but there’s still room for growth. Unlike other countries where election results are announced simply and in a relaxed atmosphere, Nigeria’s process remains complex. The true essence of democracy lies in satisfying the will of the people, not just the influential minority.
Nigeria needs to implement reforms to address perennial problems in its electoral laws.
INEC must strive for greater transparency and regular public engagement to rebuild public trust. The electoral body’s integrity is compromised by partisan appointments; an independent body should oversee appointments. The judiciary must rectify inconsistencies and legal discrepancies in post-election petitions.
Nigeria should strengthen the independence of INEC – Brata Igiran, banker, Yenagoa
One of the most significant aspects of Ghana’s elections is the independence of its electoral commission. This body operates with a high degree of autonomy, free from political interference, which is crucial for maintaining public trust. Nigeria can benefit by further strengthening the independence of the INEC to ensure unbiased and credible elections.
Ghana’s elections are generally characterised by a peaceful atmosphere, largely due to effective dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms. Nigeria can adopt similar peace building strategies to prevent election-related violence. Establishing platforms for dialogue among political stakeholders can facilitate a more harmonious electoral environment.