President John Dramani Mahama has described the Electoral Commission chairman due for compulsory retirement soon as an “illustrious son.”

Delivering his State of the Nation address in Parliament on Thursday, Mahama noted Dr Kwadwo Afari Djan has been instrumental over the past 23 years in shaping Ghana’s democracy.

“Let me, on behalf of the people of Ghana, express our respect for the dedication to work shown by Dr. Afari Djan - an illustrious son of Ghana,” Mahama said during his third state of the nation address.

He admitted that Ghana will “miss” Dr Djan for his dedicated service “when he finally retires this year.”

A well respected Dr Djan, who has supervised six general elections in Ghana since 1992, will be handling his last major assignment next month during the district assembly elections.