CODEO inaugurates new 25-member Advisory Board
By Selorm GBORBIDZI & Romie AVIVI STUHL, Accra
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has inaugurated its new and expanded 25-member advisory board.
The expansion to the 25-member board, from the previous 15, is meant to “promote inclusion.”
Outgoing Chair, Sheikh Arimiyawo Shaibu, said this new makeup is much needed for the upcoming election in 2024.
The board will be led by Reverend Dr Fred Deegbe and Elizabeth Villars, as co-chairs.
Madam Villars said that “since its inception in 2000, CODEO has dedicated itself to ensuring transparent, free, fair, and peaceful elections in Ghana.”
She indicated that CODEO hopes to contribute to an improved electoral environment by independently and objectively observing polls.
Rev. Dr. Fred Geegbe in a joint acceptance speech, stated his intention to set up CODEO for long-term success, through engagement with key stakeholders and advocacy for continuous electoral reform.
He also hoped that through the work of CODEO, they would strengthen the national electoral system.
Rev. Dr. Fred Geegbe made it known that CODEO’s work will not end with the upcoming 2024 general elections, drawing out a list of issues and reforms they would like to see implemented in the coming years, such as the passage of the affirmative action bill and the amendment of the rules around election disputes to facilitate the swift adjudication of Parliamentary election disputes.
Some of the members of the new board include: Professor Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, Angel Carbonu, Kofi Bentum Quantson, Philippa Larsen, Hamilda Harisson and Rev Dr Cyril Fayorsey, among others.
There were solidarity messages from other organizations which are stakeholders in the nation’s elections.
Peter Mac Manu, who represented the New Patriotic PArty (NPP) said that CODEO enables electoral corrections by looking at what went wrong, noting the importance of impartiality.
