By: Joyce Kantam Kolamong
The Women Situation Room Project Consortium and the Women, Youth Peace and Security Department of the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre, KAIPTC, have organized a 3-day training programme for 30 women and youth from the Northern Region in Tamale.
The initiative, funded by the Swedish Government, aims to equip participants with skills to observe and report on the electoral process, ensuring transparency and accountability.
KAIPTC Commandant, Major General Richard Addo Gyane, said the training initiative represents a significant step towards fostering gender equality and enhancing democratic participation in Ghana’s electoral processes.
He emphasized the importance of empowering women and youth as election observers for a more inclusive and peaceful electoral environment. He advised participants to approach the training with all the seriousness it deserves to be better positioned to exhibit professionalism and impartiality during the elections.
He said, “By reporting irregularities and inconsistencies, you can help ensure the integrity of the electoral process.Your role as impartial observer is crucial to ensuring the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process. Any biases or partisanship can undermine the trust and confidence of the electorates. Failure to maintain impartiality can lead to the erosion of democratic norms, social unrest, and even violence. Your actions have the power to shape the future of our nation. Therefore, endeavor to uphold the highest”.
Major General Gyane also reminded them to exhibit integrity and objectivity since their observations will be vital in ensuring that the voices of electorates are heard and respected. “Objectivity requires that you gather and report information accurately, without distortion or exaggeration. It also means avoiding making judgments or interpretations”, he emphasized.
Facilitator of the training, Dr. Victor Kofi Doke, who is also a Lecturer at KAIPTC, said the training will focus on areas such as Overview of the 2024 General Elections, Election observation as conflict prevention mechanism, Code of conduct for election observation, and Practical sessions on reporting urgent issues among others.
Dr. Doke noted that participants will utilize checklists and report urgent issues effectively.
The project is targeting 100 beneficiaries from Volta, Northern, Ashanti, and Greater Accra regions.
The initiative is to promote women’s participation and rights in the 2024 elections and fosters peace before, during, and after the elections.
