The Contribution of the International Community to Peaceful Elections in Ghana

Abstract

Ghana has had eight successful democratic elections from 1992 to 2020 with three alternations of power from one political party to another political party. Notwithstanding Ghana’s democratic feats and the support it receives from the International Community, the nation’s elections have been bedevilled with numerous challenges. This chapter analyses Ghana’s elections under the Fourth Republic, the challenges associated with them and the role of the International Community in Ghana’s electoral development. Using comparative and interdisciplinary legal scholarship, this chapter reveals that the International Community has contributed immensely towards Ghana’s democratic developments despite criticisms levelled against it. The chapter suggests that international observer missions should be deployed several months ahead of national elections to enable the International Community gain comprehensive understanding of pre-election activities.