ECOWAS APPOINTS FORMER PRESIDENT AS ELECTION OBSERVATION CHIEF IN BENIN

MODOU SARR

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved the appointment of former Ghanaian president Nana Akufo- Addo as Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission ( MOE) for the presidential election in Benin Republic scheduled for April 12, 2026.

This appointment, was announced by the President of the Commission Dr Omar Alieu Touray in Abuja, Nigeria. It is part of the community’s ongoing commitment to the promotion of democracy, good governance and regional stability.

The mission to Cotonou will be deployed from 7th to 15th April 2026 in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance which constitutes the legal regulatory framework of the electoral observation mission in the region.

Nana Akufo-Addo is an 81 year old Ghanaian diplomat who served as Attorney general from 2001- 2003 and as Foreign Affairs Minister from 2003- 3007 under the administration of President John Kufour. He later became president under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from January 2017 to January 2025. He hands over power to current incumbent John Dramani Mahama after serving his constitutional two term mandate.