Kofi Annan to speak on credible, peaceful elections

Former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan would deliver a speech on: “Credible and Peaceful Elections: a prerequisite for Africa’s progress,” at a public lecture on June 23 in Accra.

Mr. Annan, who is also the Chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, would present the topic at this year’s “Kronti Ne Akwamu” lecture, a flagship annual democracy and governance event of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana).

Communication Officer at CDD-Ghana, Mina Okuru, said in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Friday.

“Coinciding with Ghana’s seventh presidential and parliamentary elections,” the statement said, the topic was deliberately chosen to help deepen awareness among leading candidates in the November 7 general election.

It would also help to increase the knowledge of the political parties, the election management body, the Judiciary, the security apparatus, media, civil society and key actors in democratic governance and development process.

The lecture is projected to touch on the high stakes of the 2016 general election, and highlight the obligation of stakeholders and political actors to ensure successful elections.

“At a time when the advantages of democracy are being contested in various parts of the world, Mr Kofi Annan, will reaffirm the importance of credible and peaceful elections for Africa’s peace and progress,” the statement said.

Kofi Annan, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, would also highlight some of the challenges to democratic practice and suggest how they could be addressed to ensure Africa’s and Ghana’s democracies continue to thrive in the 2Ist century.

The 12th in the series, the ‘Kronti Ne Akwamu’ lecture would feature prominent scholars and practitioners of international and local stature, whose interests and works focus on promotion of democracy, good governance and inclusive development.

SOURCE: GNA