The West African Network for Peace-building (WANEP), organized a two-day Regional workshop on Electoral Violence Monitoring, Analysis and Migration dubbed the EMAM Project at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra.

The event, which was under the theme, “Regional Lessons Learnt and Experience Sharing”, brought together participants from 11 West African countries, including state and non-state players in the electoral processes.

The Chief Director of the Minister of the Interior, Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, who read a speech on behalf the Minster for the Interior, disclosed that Ghana’s National Security Strategy will among other things address threats that are potentially imminent in the Sub-region and required constant monitoring through early warning mechanisms.

Mrs. Anno-Kumi stated that as part of implementation of the EMAM Project, WANEP partnered the National Peace Council (NPC) to establish and coordinate the National Election Response Group (NERG) with 3 satellite Regional Response Group (RERG) located in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, Tamale in the Northern Region and Ho in the Volta Region.

“The NERG and the RERG engage in shuttle diplomacy, consultation and engagement with key stakeholders, notably the political parties, the Electoral Commission, Ghana Police Service and the media on election security”, she added.   

The Chief Director indicated that EMAM Project would also address Regional level threats and risk, such as transnational originated crimes, border security challenges, violent extremism and terrorism, maritime security and humanitarian issues.

She expressed the hope that the workshop would help establish good democratic stability in the Sub-region.

The Former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, called on all players in the electoral processes in the West Africa Sub-region to play their roles effectively to ensure that outcomes of national elections are acceptable by all.

Dr. Chambas also called for strengthening of the peace architecture in the respective countries to help consolidate democracy and peace in the sub-region