Why We'll Not Monitor Ghana's General Election - European Union

Mr Claude Maerten, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation in Ghana, has said that the EU would not monitor the general election scheduled for December 7, 2012, as a mark of confidence in Ghana's electoral system. Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Maerten said the EU had observed that Ghana had developed internal structures and had the capacity to organize free, fair, transparent and credible elections without the monitoring of the international community. He also noted that due to the maturity of the nation�s electoral processes, institutionalization of democratic structures and cooperation among the political parties, Election 2012 would as usual be peaceful and successful. �Ghana has come a long way in the organization of its elections and I believe it can be done again�, he said. Mr Maerten said the EU would, however, provide technical assistance to the Electoral Commission for the discharge of its duties. The Union used the occasion to express its appreciation to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for its decision to award the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to the EU as a body for its advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe and the rest of the world. �We thank the Norwegian Nobel Committee for acknowledging the EU�s most important results: the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and democracy and human rights�, he said. Mr Maerten said the EU had played a major role in transforming Europe from a continent of war in the olden days to a continent of peace and stability. Mr Maerten intimated Ghana and the rest of Africa could only develop if they could concentrate on peace building.He pledged the commitment of the EU delegation to Ghana towards helping to promote peace, rule of law and prosperity in Ghana. Other foreign envoys in Ghana including the Ambassadors of Spain, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany and the Czech Republic were also present at the ceremony.