Releasing a statement on behalf of the group in Accra, the Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG), HE Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, former President of Botswana, urged the government, political parties and civil society organisations to uphold and promote democratic culture and practices, as the country goes to polls - mindful that they are accountable to the public.

In the group's arrival statement, he said:

"Ghana's democracy and years of political stability have been a stabilising influence in the sub- region. A peaceful and credible conduct of elections will continue to solidify Ghana's reputation as a stable democracy in the region."

"These elections are particularly noteworthy for the Commonwealth, as they mark the final major election in a year that has seen numerous polls across the world and been dubbed the global year of elections."

Dr Masisi, who arrived on 28 November, has been meeting with the various stakeholders to assess the election environment and the state of preparedness ahead of the elections.

He is joined by 16 other experts drawn from across all the regions of the Commonwealth to observe the election process. They bring together a diversity of experience, including electoral management, law, civil society, politics, human rights, and the media, among vocations.

The observers commenced intensive briefings over the weekend and will spend the coming days in discussions with various stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission of Ghana, government representatives, political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, citizen and international observer groups, diplomats and the media.

From 5 December, Commonwealth observers will be deployed in small teams across various regions of the country to observe the voting, counting and results process, as well as meet with other stakeholders in respective locations.

Among other factors, the observers will assess whether conditions exist for credible elections, including a fair election environment, whether the process is inclusive, whether public media has been impartial, the transparency of the entire process, whether voters are free to express their will, and whether the counting and results process is transparent.

The COG plans to issue an interim statement on its preliminary findings on 9 December, before its members depart Ghana. Subsequently, the observer group will prepare a final report, which will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General before being shared with relevant stakeholders, including the public.

Read the full arrival statement