Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been appointed to lead a Commonwealth Observer Group for Bangladesh’s Parliamentary Election and Referendum scheduled for February 12.
The former Ghanaian President is chairing a high-level team tasked with monitoring the electoral process, with particular focus on pre-election preparations, stakeholder engagement and the country’s overall readiness for the polls.
In a Facebook post, Akufo-Addo confirmed his arrival in Dhaka on Sunday, February 8, stating that the Observer Group had already begun preliminary engagements with key stakeholders.
“Arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group to observe pre-poll arrangements ahead of the country’s Parliamentary Election and Referendum on February 12,” he wrote.
He noted that the team has held meetings with representatives of the media, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups, political parties and other relevant stakeholders to gain a broad understanding of Bangladesh’s political and electoral environment.
These consultations form a key component of the Commonwealth’s election observation process, providing insights into the credibility, transparency and inclusiveness of the polls.
Akufo-Addo’s appointment underscores his continued involvement in international diplomacy and democratic governance following the end of his presidency.
While in office, he was an active participant in regional and global affairs, particularly in advancing democracy, constitutional rule and multilateral cooperation through bodies such as the African Union, ECOWAS and the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Observer Group is expected to remain in Bangladesh through election day and the immediate post-election period, observing voting, counting and results collation.
Akufo-Addo officially handed over power on January 7, 2025, after completing two terms as President of Ghana. This assignment represents one of his first major international engagements since leaving office.
