The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has denied a report claiming that it has predicted violence at Ghana's upcoming December 7 general elections. 

The Herold newspaper of August, 21, 2024 purported to capture 'a draft statement' on the findings of ECOWAS Commission's recent Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission to Ghana under the crudely misleading banner ECOWAS Mission predicts violence or Ghono's 2024 polls.  

But the Commission has categorically denounced what it described as the tabloid's dishonest reportage.  

"To educate The Herold, ECOWAS pre-electoral Missions do not issue statements on their findings. Besides, reports of such missions are confidential and meant only for the eyes of the President of the Commission to aid his engagements with the authorities in Member States. In this instance, the preliminary report is still undergoing quality control. 

"At no time before, during, and after the Fact-Finding Mission has ECO-WAS 'predicted violence' in the electoral process. The Commission therefore finds it preposterous that The Herald would disingenuously repeat the standard operating procedures of ECOWAS fact-finding missions, twist issues that are in the public domain in Ghana, and try to push its partisan conclusions into the mouth of ECOWAS," a statement dated August 21 and issued in Abuja by the ECOWAS Commission said. 

According to the statement, the ECOWAS Commission rightly holds Ghana in high esteem as a model of maturing democracy and tolerance on the continent and often cites the country for emulation in the region. 

"The Commission therefore condemns any attempts by sections of the media to misuse the name of ECOWAS in their vain attempts to sow discord among the over 32 million peace-loving people of Ghana through manipulation, partisan positions, and veiled incitement to intolerance and violence. Ghana deserves better," it added. 

The ECOWAS Commission reiterated its trust in the resilience of democratic institutions in Ghana, adding that it will continue to accompany the government and people of Ghana to once again deliver transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections in December 2024. 

KA

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