The Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference and Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu has called for urgent collective action to defend the electoral integrity in Africa against the threats of money, technology abuse and shrinking civic space.

The summit was convened by the African Election Observers Network, the West African Election Observers Network and the Center for Democratic Development, CDD-Ghana, and is expected to produce the 2026 Accra Communique on Electoral Integrity and Democratic Accountability.

It was under the theme “Money, Technology and Civic Rights: Defending Electoral Integrity in Africa could not be more appropriate for the times”.

Delivering the keynote address at the 3rd Africa Electoral Integrity Summit in Accra on Tuesday, Bishop Fianu described the increasing commercialisation of politics as one of the greatest challenges confronting electoral integrity today.

"Across many democracies, electoral competition is becoming excessively expensive. The influence of unregulated campaign financing has created unequal political opportunities, weakened accountability, and encouraged vote-buying, patronage politics, and corruption," he said.

"When money becomes the principal determinant of electoral success, competence, integrity, and public service are pushed aside. Democracy should never become an ocean where leadership is purchased by the highest bidder."

He urged African governments, electoral management bodies, political parties and legislatures to strengthen legal frameworks governing campaign financing and transparency in political donations.

On technology, the Bishop noted that while digital platforms have expanded civic education and strengthened election observation through real-time monitoring, they have also introduced new vulnerabilities.

"Artificial intelligence manipulated digital content, misinformation, disinformation, cyber interference, and hate speech now spread faster than before. False information can inflame tensions, deepen ethnic and political divisions, and undermine public confidence," he warned.

He stressed that technology is a neutral tool whose impact depends on responsible use, calling on governments to resist suppressing legitimate civic expression while urging tech companies, media and civil society to promote responsible digital citizenship.

Bishop Fianu emphasised that electoral integrity goes beyond polling day to include voter registration, campaign financing, civic education, vote counting, collation and peaceful dispute resolution.

"Where electoral integrity exists, democracy flourishes. Where electoral integrity is compromised, public confidence weakens, political polarization deepens, electoral violence increases, and social cohesion suffers," he said.

He defended the protection of civic rights, saying civil society, domestic observers, journalists, women, youth and persons with disabilities play indispensable roles.

"Restricting civic space ultimately weakens democracy itself," he noted.

As Chairman of the National Peace Council, he highlighted the unique role of faith-based institutions as trusted mediators with extensive grassroots networks.

"Faith leaders have consistently served as trusted mediators during periods of political tension. They encourage dialogue where others suggest confrontation. Political competition must never become an excuse for hatred. Our common humanity must always transcend our political differences."

Also, citing Ghana's democratic journey, Bishop Fianu said peaceful elections are possible when institutions work together.

"Dialogue is always stronger than violence. Consensus is always more enduring than coercion. Peace is always the strongest foundation upon which democracy can flourish," he stated.

He concluded with a call to action saying “let us work together to ensure that elections become instruments of peace rather than conflict, platforms for unity rather than division, arenas for development rather than destruction, and expressions of hope rather than fear”.

He added: “The future of Africa's democracy will not be determined solely by constitutions or electoral laws. It will be determined by the values we uphold, the institutions we strengthen, the leadership we provide, and the choices our citizens make."