THE WEST AFRICA

U.S IMPOSES VISA RESTRICTIONS ON GHANA

U.S IMPOSES VISA RESTRICTIONS ON GHANA
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Faith Nyasuguta

The US State Department has announced that it will restrict visas for individuals deemed responsible for undermining democracy in Ghana. This move comes ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for December 7, 2024, in the West African nation. 

Ghana, known for its peaceful, free, fair, and transparent elections over the past two decades, faces concerns about a potential democratic backslide due to allegations of voter roll irregularities this year.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the visa policy targets only those who undermine democracy and is not directed at the government or the people of Ghana. “This visa restriction policy would apply only to specific individuals who undermine democracy and is not directed at the Ghanaian people nor the Government of Ghana,” Blinken stated.

The December polls will mark Ghana’s ninth consecutive general election since the country’s return to multi-party democracy in 1992. However, recent allegations of unauthorized transfers and removals of voter names have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process

/Daily Messenger/

Last month, Ghana’s largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led nationwide protests demanding an audit of the voter roll. The NDC claimed to have detected thousands of unauthorized changes and deletions of voter names.

Incumbent President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is stepping down this year after completing his second and final four-year term. The electoral commission has approved thirteen candidates to run in the presidential election. However, analysts believe the race will primarily be between former President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The US visa restrictions are part of a broader effort to support democratic processes in Ghana and ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process. The policy aims to safeguard Ghana’s democratic institutions and prevent any actions that could undermine the integrity of the elections

The restrictions will apply to individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, manipulating or rigging the electoral process, using violence to intimidate or coerce voters, or engaging in other activities designed to improperly influence the election’s outcome.

Ghana has a strong track record of democratic elections and peaceful power transitions, making it a model for other countries in the region. However, the recent allegations of voter roll irregularities have created concerns about a possible democratic backslide. The international community, including the United States, is closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted fairly and transparently.

/MyJoyOnline/

The NDC’s protests and demands for a forensic audit of the voter roll highlight the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. The opposition party has called for a bipartisan probe into the conduct of the Electoral Commission and the immediate publication of the audit’s findings once conducted.

As Ghana prepares for the December elections, the focus remains on ensuring a credible and transparent process that reflects the will of the people. The US visa restrictions remind us of the international community’s commitment to supporting democratic values and preventing any actions that could undermine the electoral process.

The upcoming elections will be a critical test for Ghana’s democracy, with the potential to shape the country’s political climate for years to come. The international community’s support and vigilance will be crucial in ensuring that the elections are conducted fairly and that the democratic

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Faith Nyasuguta

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