politicsghana.com

The Fulani Community in Ghana has appealed to Parliament to reject the current Constitutional Instrument (CI) in its current state from the Electoral Commission.

In a statement, the Fulanis said it will be disenfranchised if the Electoral Commission insists on the two main means of proof of citizenship – Ghana card and Passport– in the upcoming voter’s registration exercise.

According to the Fulanis, the National Identification Authority refused to register them for the Ghana cards and they are also denied the opportunity of securing passports as Ghanaians.

In a statement signed by its National Secretary Yakubu Musah Barry, the Fulani Community appealed to Parliament to reconsider the Constitutional Instrument before the House since it has the potential to deprive the chance to vote as Ghanaians.

“The Tabital Pulaaku International Ghana Chapter and Danbaki Royal family representing the entire Fulani Community in Ghana, held several news conferences to voice their concerns in respect of the way and manner the Fulani citizens of Ghana are being discriminated against and eventually denied the acquisition of passports and the NIA cards (Ghana card). Our countless calls and reports have not yet received any national attention. In view of the current debate ongoing in the country with regards to the Constitutional Instrument (CI) laid in Parliament by the Electoral Commission (EC).

“We the entire membership of the Fulani Community in Ghana wish to call on Parliament to reject the CI in its current state. Passing or accepting the CI in its current state amounts to disenfranchising the entire Fulani Community in Ghana. We are adequately informed that the EC is seeking to use only the passport and the NIA card(Ghana card) as requirement for registration. We therefore call for the amendment of the CI to include other national documents such as the Birth certificate, voter ID etc or we call for a total rejection of the CI”.

The statement added: “We the Fulani Community in Ghana would continue to resist any attempt by any National Public institution that tries to de-nationalize Fulanis in Ghana.”

Source: Daily Mail GH

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.

Source: graphicgh.com

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.

Signed Togbe Afede XIV, President

Signed Dasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, Vice President