CFF-GH Appeals to Traditional Rulers, Other Religious Bodies to Call EC to Order

The Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-GH) is appealing to the Traditional rulers, Regions leaders and other faith based organisations to call the Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensah to order.

It appears the EC is in bed with the ruling NPP to carry out with a promised political witch-hunt the NPP started which Madam Adukwei Mensah benefited and appointed the EC.

In a statement the CFF-GH issued on Accra reminds them of a 2016 ptomise by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who insisted that the voter register should be changed where the EC set up a Committee of eminent Ghanaians to look into it and they submitted there was no need following a number of factors.

This move did not agar well with then the opposition NPP who effect their agenda to chase out former EC Boss, Mrs. Charllote Osei for their choice, Jean Adukwei Mensah.

For fear that the Nana Addo led NPP government wants to carry out with its second agenda of changing the biometric voter register, CFF-GH anticipated the agenda could lead to chaos.

To effect, CFF-GH was therefore calling on these eminent Ghanaian leaders and religious bodies to step in to advise the EC Boss who intend helping to fulfill that promise for the NPP.

The statement further indicated Madam Jean Mensa’s posture in handling sensitive national electoral matters unilaterally could set Ghana on fire in 2020.

Below is full statement CFF-GH Issued in Accra.

PRESS RELEASE
 
11Th December, 2019
Jean Mensa’s posture in handling sensitive national electoral matters unilaterally can set Ghana on fire in 2020.

The Community Focus Foundation Ghana (CFF-GH) is deeply worried about the lack of cooperation between the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission (EC) and its stakeholders including political parties due to alleged entrenched positions always being taken by the EC when it comes to sensitive national electoral matters.

Of much concern is the compilation of a new voter’s register which has generated heated debate among key stakeholders which saw some parties advocating strongly for an upgraded biometric register to cut down cost.

The EC however, is religiously pushing for a new register to be compiled against the suggestions and recommendations by some political parties including the largest opposition party, the NDC.

Another important issue of grave concern to majority of Ghanaians is the formation of an advisory Board by the EC with “eminent” partisan politicians whose neutrality cannot be guaranteed.

Our checks from the court of public opinion indicates that most Ghanaians have started reading meanings and interpretations into the posture and the seeming entrenched position taken by the EC Boss, Mrs.

Jean Mensa on critical matters and the new register with some saying compilation of a new register by the EC is a calculated attempt to manipulate the 2020 election results aimed at subverting the will of the Ghanaian people.

Without doubt, the walkout staged by four (4) major political parties during the Inter- Parties Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting of Tuesday, 10th December, 2019 on the allegations of bad faith on the part of the EC shows clearly that there is bad blood between the EC and its traditional allies and stakeholders.

We see these developments as a dangerous omen for our infant democracy.

As a democratic oriented Civil Society Organization (CSO) which speaks for the voiceless and advocates for participatory, accountable, and democratic governance, we cannot sit down aloof for our beloved country to be thrown into chaos.

By this release, we are calling on eminent Ghanaians including the President of National House
of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, the great Ashanti King, Otumfour Osei Tutu II, National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osumanu Sharabutu, HRH Ya-Na of Dagbon, Okyehene, Amoatia Ofori Panyin of Abuakwa state, HE Former President JJ Rawlings, HE Former President J.K Kufuor, Chairman of the National Peace Council among others to take collective action and impress on Ghana’s Electoral Commissioner, Jean Mensa that majority of Ghanaians are deeply worried about the happenings at EC and the earlier she takes action to restore the integrity of the elections body the better for all of us for posterity will not forgive us if we seat unconcerned for our God-given country, Ghana be plunged into avoidable chaos.
Sgd
Mr. Richard Kasu
(EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CFF-GH)