Pressure is mounting on the Chief of Akyem Abuakwa Amotia Ofori Panyin and some other chiefs to counter and dilute the effect of the advise to the EC from the National House of Chiefs. The Akyem Abuakwa hene and some other chiefs who are close allies of prez Akuffo addo always disagree with the national house of chiefs whenever they issue a statement against the NPP government.
The National House of Chiefs issued a statement cautioning the electoral commission of Ghana to be very careful of not disenfranchising and bringing electoral violence to Ghana since the tangent they moving on towards the compilation of a new voters register is a very slippery and can lead to Civil war. Part of the statement issued by the electoral commission said ”
Central to the escalating tension is the decision of the electoral commission to compile a new voter’s register. Unfortunately, the EC failed to honour invitations to the national house of chiefs, when our traditional leaders wanted the opportunity to promote dialogue in the interest of peace.
We want to call on the EC to make peaceful conduct of this year’s general elections its primary objectives. It would require, among others, that no qualified Ghanaian is disenfranchised, and that the elections are free and fair.
We all have to remember that power is not exercised in a vacuum, and so it would be naïve of anyone to think that a constitutionally created “independent body” has unbridled power. That cannot be the intention of the framers of our constitution”
It will be recall that the Akyem Abuakwa hene and his allies issued a counter statement against the national house of chiefs when they asked prez Akuffo addo not to politicize the district assembly elections and for the president to call off his proposed referendum in December, 2019.
For this reason it’s clear a statement may be issued by Amotia Ofori Panyin opposing or in disagreement of the statement issued by the National House of Chiefs.
The brouhaha over the decision by the Electoral Commission to compile new voters register for the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections keep heightening with many sound thinking Ghanaians cautioning the Jean Mensa led EC to be mindful of their actions which is slowly setting Ghana ablaze.
The National House of Chiefs in the mid-hours of Sunday 31st May, 2020 issued a press release cautioning the electoral commission of Ghana to be very careful of their dealings so that they don’t Plunge Ghana into Civil War.
Part of the release said “We want to call on the EC to make peaceful conduct of this year’s general elections its primary objectives. It would require, among others, that no qualified Ghanaian is disenfranchised, and that the elections are free and fair.”
The respected chiefs further stretched on the disobedience of the Jean Mensa led EC for refusing to honor their invitation in February this year to jaw- jaw on their plans to compile a new voters register. “Unfortunately, the EC failed to honour invitations to the national house of chiefs, when our traditional leaders wanted the opportunity to promote dialogue in the interest of Peace.” They said.
Countless Civil society organizations, political parties, leading members of NPP like PC Appiah Ofori, Dr. Wireko Brobey “Tarzan”, journalist like Kwasi Pratt, Manasseh Azure Awuni, Kwabena Bobbie Ansah, Bright Simons among others have kicked against the EC’s decision to compile a new voters register but the Jean Mensa led EC have turned deaf ears to their advice.
Below is details of the full statement of the respected chiefs of ghana
We are very concerned about the growing tension in our country, at a time when we are confronted with a lot of challenges – COVID19 pandemic, CSM epidemic, flooding, joblessness —that naturally require that we stick together and work towards finding the appropriate solutions
In the face of these challenges, what Ghanaians need is hope, not fear. But sadly our airwaves are filled with intimidation, and threats of anarchy, mayhem, war…. Our political leaders appear to be more concerned about winning power, than the development needs and the happiness of our people.
Central to the escalating tension is the decision of the electoral commission to compile a new voter’s register. Unfortunately, the EC failed to honour invitations to the national house of chiefs, when our traditional leaders wanted the opportunity to promote dialogue in the interest of Peace.
We want to call on the EC to make peaceful conduct of this year’s general elections its primary objectives. It would require, among others, that no qualified Ghanaian is disenfranchised, and that the elections are free and fair.
We all have to remember that power is not exercised in a vacuum, and so it would be naïve of anyone to think that a constitutionally created “independent body” has unbridled power. That cannot be the intention of the framers of our constitution.
We humbly ask for sober reflection, an honest evaluation of our progress as a nation over the past 63 years, and a recommitment by all Ghanaians to the ideals that inspired our founding fathers.
We need to give substance to their claim that the black man is capable of managing his own affairs.
At this time when unimaginable atrocities are being visited on the black man in various parts of the world, we need to work together to strengthen the peace, and create harmonious living conditions at home, so that xenophobic isolation abroad would not be preferred by our people.
As chiefs, we have the responsibility, and the duty, to speak objectively on national issues, and in defense of the national interest.
So at this crucial time, we owe a sacred duty to our people to remind all of us about the “pledge to be faithful and loyal to Ghana, my motherhood”. That is why we are asking all Ghanaians to subordinate individual interest and political party loyalty to the national desire for peace, unity and development.
The Danquah Institute (DI) has said though it supports the EC’s decision to compile a new register, the electoral management body must be forthright and decisive in its approach and processes.
At a press conference in Accra on Monday, June 1, 2020, the Acting Executive Director, Richard Ahiagbah, mentioned the EC’s public education and rationalization as a major reason why some Ghanaians are worried and skeptical about the compilation of a new voter’s register.
“The E.C.’s public relations has also failed to give comfort to a coalition of Civil Society Organizations and political parties,” he stated.
“Recently, the issue of excluding the current voter I.D. as a form of qualification in C.I 126, has attracted widespread public disapproval. This should not have happened if the E.C. was minded to inform Ghanaians that the voter I.D. card’s exclusion as a form of qualification is directed by the Supreme Court of Ghana.”
Mr. Ahiagba also urged the E.C. to engage and objectively assess the recommendations put forth by leading Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and members of the Ghana Anti-corruption Coalition (GACC).
“They raised concerns to do with the cost of compiling a new register, procurement issues, technical concerns. Others, too, have raised concerns about time and COVID-19 as reasons why the E.C. should do compile a new register. But given the overriding Constitutional, legal and process irregularities advanced thus far, and would hopefully be amplified beyond the four walls of this room, we believe that the E.C. can achieve consensus with all interest groups to engage the concerns about cost, procurement, technical, time and COVID-19 as part of the E.C.’s process to compile a new voters’ register,” he explained.
Though the case for a new register is inevitable on constitutional legal grounds, the Danquah Institute Ag. Executive Director urged the Electoral Commission to be guided by the Supreme Court’s interpretation that the mandate of the Electoral Commission to compile the register of voters implies a duty to compile a reasonably accurate and credible register.
“This is important because the right to vote is sacred and exclusive to Ghanaians, and the E.C. must indulge in all safety, legal, and regulatory measures to ensure that all eligible Ghanaians get the opportunity to register,” he said.
The government is set to trial an app to monitor religious gatherings, among others as the coronavirus restrictions are eased.
The app is expected to keep track of events and details of persons who attend these events.
At a press briefing on Monday evening, the Minister of Communication Ursula Owusu Ekuful said the app, known as PANABIOS (Pan African BioSurveillance Application) is “to help us stay compliant with all of these [conditions for resuming certain public gatherings].”
The minister expects the app to ready in 48 hours.
“We are trialling in Ghana and hopefully it will be rolled out on the rest of the continent,” Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful.
Providing a few details on how the app would work she said a passcode or a USSD code will be generated for people to book for a registered event.
“Event organisers will have to download the application and register the event and venue that the event is taking place,” the minister explained.
Mrs. Ekuful stressed the need to comply with conditions put in place for the resumption of religious gatherings and other events.
“For our collective peace of mind, every event needs to keep an accurate register of everyone who attends those functions so that when need be, you can provide that information to the health authorities and they can help all of us.”
President Akufo-Addo announced a review of social gathering protocols in Ghana in a televised address on May 31.
Religious gatherings, schools, weddings among others can resume partially under strict conditions.
Churches and mosques, for example, are to allow only 100 congregants while schools are to open for final year students.
The cap on participants for private burials has also been raised to 100 persons.
All People’s Congress (APC) led by Dr. Hassan Ayariga, has today June 1, 2020, resumed its campaign activities.
In a press statement signed by the General Secretary of APC, Mr. Mordecai Thiombiano, , the party says it has officially resumed all political activities of the party from the constituencies, regions to the national level and called on all acting Constituency and Regional Chairmen to take charge of all activities of its internal elections to be supervised by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
“The scheduled activities of the party was ongoing at the various constituencies and regions before the emergence of corona virus which put all political activities to a halt.”
“On behalf of Dr Hassan Ayariga I wish to inform all acting constituency and regional chairmen to resume the activities of all Elections.”, it stated.
The statement released tasked National Leadership of All People’s Congress (APC) to continue to educate all party members to adhere to all safety protocols by the National Covid-19 team to keep safe and stay safe from Covid-19.
Find below the full press statement:
ALL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS (APC) RESUMES ITS SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES AFTER LIFTING OF BAN:
01/06/20
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All People’s Congress (APC) and on behalf of Dr Hassan Ayariga founder/Leader wish to inform all patriotic members of our noble party APC that our party from today Monday 1st of June, 2020 has officially resumed all political activities of the party from the Constituencies, Regions and to the National Level.
The National Leadership of the party will like to admonish all party members to adhere to all safety protocols by the National Covid 19 team to keep safe and stay safe from Corona Virus.
The scheduled activities of the party was ongoing at the various constituencies and regions before the emergence of corona virus which put all political activities to a halt.
On behalf of Dr Hassan Ayariga I wish to inform all acting constituency and regional chairmen to resume the activities of all Elections and to be supervised and endorsed by the Electoral Commission Nationwide
All party members interested in various portfolios of the leadership of the party at all levels should kindly contact acting constituencies and regional chairmen.
Kindly revert back to the office of the general secretary for further discussion and details.
Two Civil Society groups, Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) and IMANI Africa have petitioned Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to call on the Electoral Commission to rescind its decision to compile a new voters’ register for the 2020 general elections.
Representatives of the two groups finished a closed-door meeting with the Asanteman Council in Kumasi today, Monday, June 1, 2020.
Speaking after the meeting, President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe told the media that the Asantehene was waiting to officially hear from the EC on the matter.
“Justifiably, Asanteman decides that they will also listen to the EC and then they will see which advise they can offer, which I think is fair,” Mr. Cudjoe stated.
He further reiterated some concerns his think tank has had with the EC’s posture.
“The procurement process that led to the purchase of this new equipment [for the new voter register] was fraught with a lot of irregularities.”
Mr. Cudjoe also insisted that there were no strong questions about the integrity of the current register because “the EC has never once suggested that the register is bloated.”
IMANI Africa has in the past noted that the EC wants to rip out a voter management system worth $60 million, of which value at least $40 million has accumulated since just 2016, and spend $150 million (plus contingency) constructing a new one.
According to the think tank, a careful analysis of best practice in procuring biometric technology for elections in Africa shows that the EC’s proposed spending plans are inflated by about 60 percent.
“In short, the EC’s proposed system is brutally expensive compared to other countries in Africa. The EC’s claims about the existing system’s weaknesses are flawed and untrue because the biometric data can be salvaged and facial recognition technology already exists through visual inspection,” IMANI argued in a statement.
The tensions over the register have led the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accusing the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of conniving with the EC and the National Identification Authority(NIA) to rig the 2020 elections.
Nonetheless, the EC is still expected to begin the voter registration exercise later in June 2020.
The EC wants to ensure that the register that is used on the election day is more credible and efficient than the existing one hence the need for a new Biometric Voter Management System (BVMS).
A pro-government think tank, the Danquah Institute has criticised the lack of clarity in the Electoral Commission’s (EC) communications on the voter registration and other election-related controversies.
At a press conference held today, Monday, the Executive Director of the Institute, Richard Ahiagbah, said communication failure from the part of the EC contributed to the general unease on the matter.
“We find the EC’s public education and sensitisation as a major reason why many Ghanaians are worried and sceptical about the compilation of a new voters’ register.”
“The EC’s public relations has also failed to give comfort to a coalition of civil society organizations and some political parties,” Mr. Ahiagbah stated.
One of the points of contention has been the EC’s move to make the Ghana Card and Passports the only valid forms of identification for registering onto the electoral roll ahead of the registration in June.
The commission has presented the Public Election (Amendment) regulation, 2020 (C.I. 126) to Parliament to amend C.I 91 in this regard.
This sparked concerns from observers and political stakeholders alike that a significant number of Ghanaians will be disenfranchised because the National Identification Authority is yet to complete its registration exercise amid the disruption brought on by the novel coronavirus.
This has even led the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accusing the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of conniving with the EC and the National Identification Authority(NIA) to rig the 2020 elections.
On complaints about the identification requirements, Mr. Ahiagbah said: “This is a needless dispute that we have had to engage in because the EC did not perform or function in its public relations as they ought to.”
He thus urged the EC to open up for engagement and “objectively assess recommendations put forth by leading civil society organisations and members of the anti-corruption coalition.”
Boycotts from NDC
The NDC has been at odds with the EC and boycotted key meetings on the voter registration exercise.
Candidates of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) are expected to resume for Academic Work on June 22, 2020, according to President Akuffo Addo.
The president also indicated that Form 2 Gold Track SHS Students are also expected to join the WASSCE Candidates on the same date to continue with their Second Semester.
The President made this revelation on Sunday, May 31, 2020, during his tenth state address on the update of events concerning COVID-19 pandemic.
The President further indicated that SHS classes should contain a maximum of
twenty-five (25) students.
In his address, Akuffo Addo said, Prior to the opening of schools and universities, the Ministry of Education, and the heads of public and private educational institutions, will
fumigate and disinfect their institutions.
”Prior to the opening of schools and universities, the Ministry of
Education, and the heads of public and private educational institutions, will
fumigate and disinfect their institutions.” He said.
Provision of PPEs
President Akuffo Addo added that each student, teacher, and non-teaching staff will be provided with re-usable face masks by the Ministry of Education.
”Each student, teacher, and non-teaching staff will be provided with re-usable face masks by the Ministry of Education.” He indicated.
Other Students
”For the avoidance of doubt, all other educational facilities, private
and public, for non-final year students, will remain closed.”
”The Minister for Education, in the coming days, will outline, in detail, the specific guidelines
for the safe reopening of our schools and universities.” He said.
Ghana recorded its first case of the Coronavirus on the 12th of March, 2020. From the day the first case was announced, there has been so many interventional advice from sections of Ghanaians most recently Politicians.
By the Grace of God and the human interventions of the frontline health workers of Ghana. There has been an astronomical number of recoveries and well-controlled number of deaths even though the number of infected persons keeps rising.
Some sections of the opposition NDC party thinks that the data is not accurate. They suspect some underhand play by the ruling government.
This is because they think the ruling NPP government is massaging the number of recoveries, so that the ban on social gathering will be lifted which will pave way for them to continue with issuing of the National Identification Cards, and will also give them the liberty to change the voter’s Identification card this coming June.
President Akufo-Addo presenting presidential charters to universities
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday, 28th May 2020, presented presidential charters to the Pentecost University College, Accra, and All Nations University College, Koforidua, at a ceremony at Jubilee House, the seat of the nation’s presidency.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the presentation of the charters means that the two universities “are going to transition into autonomous Universities, with the capacity, now, to award their own degrees and diplomas.”
Delivering the remarks at the event, the President indicated that the country’s tertiary education system, like that of other nations, is composed of both public and private institutions, with the public universities established by Acts of Parliament, with presidential assents to award their own degrees and diplomas.
“On the other hand, private university colleges go through a period of academic mentorship and supervision by a mentoring, public institution for the award of degrees and diplomas. After ten (10) years, and has demonstrated sufficient capacity in governance, finances, academic matters, and infrastructural development, private university colleges can then apply to the National Accreditation Board for a Presidential Charter to enable them to award their own degrees and diplomas,” he added.
After going through a rigorous accreditation and quality assurance processes of the National Accreditation Board, and based on a satisfactory recommendation by the National Accreditation Board, he stated: “I am pleased to announce that Pentecost University College and All Nations University College have fulfilled these requirements, and are considered to be in a good position to manage their own affairs as fully-fledged tertiary education institutions.”
Additionally, the two universities have been able to establish structures, which will enable their respective institutions to forge ahead with minimum supervision in the management of their academic programmes.
Having applauded Pentecost University College and All Nations University College for the solid work done over the last decade, President Akufo-Addo drew their attention to the fact that “a Charter may be suspended or revoked by the President on the recommendation of the Board, and the grant of a Charter does not relieve an institution of the obligation to operate only in facilities approved by the Board or to run only accredited programmes or courses.”
The President urged the Universities to bear in mind that they will be closely monitored, especially in areas of concern outlined by the National Accreditation Board.
“As chartered institutions, I urge them to continue to improve and introduce more innovative programmes and courses that will equip their students with the requisite skills and competencies needed to develop our country and transform progressively the economy. Continue to carve niche areas for yourselves, so as to help you differentiate yourselves from other tertiary education institutions,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo added, “It is my expectation, and that of all Ghanaians, that, in the years ahead, other private university colleges will be able to meet the requirements of autonomy, and, thereby, contribute towards the growth and development of the country. Government, the National Council for Tertiary Education, the National Accreditation Board and public universities will continue to provide the necessary support and guidance in this direction.”
