LACK OF CONSENSUS, A RECIPE FOR AN EXPLOSION
The TDN wishes to bring to knowledge the outcome of its preliminary findings and wishes to advise the EC of Ghana to act with integrity to safeguard the peace and stability of the Republic of Ghana.
Undeniably, the EC is an independent body mandated by law to supervise all national elections in Ghana. The EC is not subjected to the direction or control by any government or group of people. The law gives the EC such a protection to protect it from the control of politicians and to prevent the abuse of excessive power by politicians, however, the law by such pronouncement did not insulate the EC from public scruitiny. The EC in performance of its duties as conferred to it by law must do so in a manner where the whole of Ghana will see whatever verdict pronounced by the EC as a true reflection of our beliefs, hopes and aspirations. The electoral commission since its inception in 1992 has done exactly that even in times of heightened tensions.
The integrity and neutrality of the EC must stand out at all times even in our most difficult situations such that it’s (EC) final pronouncement will bring peace and calm to the generality of the people. Whenever an EC loses this beautiful function, a country risks being plunged into chaos.
Recent happenings at the Electoral Commission since the change of governed in 2016 seems to lead the country in a way if care is not taken, could end the beautiful peaceful elections Ghanaians have enjoyed in the past. In 2017, a known figure in the ruling party made a statement which sought to suggest the incumbent president and party wishes to perpetuate their stay through a conscious manipulation of the EC. To begin with, the chairman and her deputies who supervised the peaceful 2016 elections were removed from office under a strange circumstances. Amazingly, known figures sympathetic to NPP were appointed by the president to the Electoral Commission. This singular act of the president compromised the neutrality of the Commission to some extent.
The daylight rigging of elections during the referendum, the first exercise of this newly appointed EC further injured its integrity! Lastly, the happenings at the Ayawaso west Wougon by-election which was largely marred by chaos further casted doubt about the integrity of this particular commission.
Currently, the problem at hand, where the current EC is bent on compiling a new voters register some months to general elections further heightens the already looming electoral tension in the country.
The Truth Defense Network (TDN) is by this release admonishing the Electoral Commissioner of Ghana that, the continuous depletion of its integrity and public confidence is a recipe for chaos and serious explosion that can hurt the fortunes of this country. Ghana has gone past the dark days of coups and instability and that, previous occupants of the Commission has done a great deal of service to build and sustain public confidence in the commission.
The current trend of accusations and counter accusations is injurious to the progress of Ghana. The EC has been sighted on numerous occasion saying that it does not require permission from anyone in the performance of its duties but we want to admonish the EC that indeed it requires a Social License and public confidence in performance of its duties. The job of the EC goes beyond organising and declaring winners of public elections but goes further to ensure general acceptance of its results, continuous peace and stability before and after elections.
We encourage the EC to do well to obtain that social license by building consensus with all parties before embarking on any such exercise.
God bless our homeland Ghana!
Signed
Madina Adams
Executive Secretary
Unas Aboagye Dadzie
National Communications Officer (0244896989)
Enock Oteng AmponsahDeputy National Communications Officer
(0246122392)
