Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 11 December 2016: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has congratulated the Ghanaian President-Elect, Hon. Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, for emerging victorious and being elected as the next president of the Republic of Ghana, following General Elections that held on 7 December 2016.

The AUC Chairperson commends the incumbent President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, for his service to his nation and the continent, as well as for gracefully accepting the election results in a manner that exemplifies good statesmanship.

The Chairperson equally lauds Ghanaians for exercising their democratic rights and applauds the sterling job of the Electoral Commission in managing the highly contested Presidential and Parliamentary elections marked by tension and anxiety.

The democratic, credible and peaceful elections in Ghana are a testimony to the resilience and effectiveness of democratic institutions as well as the maturity of all Ghanaians in exercising their civic duty to elect their leaders. The outcome of the elections and aftermath is yet another milestone characterising Ghana as the beacon of democracy, peace and stability on our beloved continent since its historic political transition of 1992.

Dr Dlamini Zuma is impressed by the positive and constructive role played by the various stakeholders, including the National Peace Council, political parties, civil society organisations and the media throughout all the critical stages of the elections. The collective efforts of these stakeholders went a long way to ensure the electoral process was democratic, credible and peaceful and its outcome legitimate.

The Chairperson reaffirms the AU’s commitment to the democratic development of Ghana in conformity with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.