AHEAD Africa launch at AU-ECOSOCC’s 20th anniversary

On July 20, 2024, on the sidelines of the African Union’s Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) 20th anniversary, AHEAD Africa partners the West Africa Election Observers Network (WAEON), its secretariat – the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) — and the European Partnership for Democracy, co-hosted an event to launch the AHEAD Africa project under the theme “Advancing Electoral Integrity in Africa through Citizen Engagement.”

With 2024 dubbed the year “Democracy is on Trial in Africa” due to the 19 elections scheduled across various countries, AHEAD Africa used this occasion to explore how empowering civil society, including citizen observers, can strengthen electoral systems and processes. These discussions particularly highlighted Ghana, both as the event’s host and in anticipation of its upcoming general elections on December 7, 2024.

The event underscored the pressing need to build resilient institutions with strong citizen engagement as the backbone of electoral integrity, especially as Ghana’s 2024 elections draw near. Anna Lixi, Head of Operations on Governance and Civil Society at the European Union Delegation to Ghana, announced that the EU will send an Election Expert Mission, shifting from traditional observation to a more hands-on, technical support approach, while AU-ECOSOCC and European Partnership for Democracy representatives emphasised how citizen observers act as the “guardians” of electoral reforms, ensuring they endure beyond election day.

Technology and youth engagement become key topics of discussion, with Ghana’s PRVT system offering a “real-time pulse” on electoral processes, while Senegal’s recent election experience showcased how technology can be a powerful mobiliser, especially for energising young voters across vast networks. Ultimately, the event highlighted how these innovations are reshaping citizen participation, building momentum for more transparent and inclusive elections across Africa, and Ghana in particular.

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