Ablekuma North MP commends EC

Mr Justice Joe Appiah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma North, has commended the Electoral Commission (EC) for its performance in the just ended nationwide biometric registration exercises.      

He however said the EC has a lot to do to ensure free, fair and violent-free elections in the December polls. Mr Joe Appiah said given the fact that it was the first time such an exercise was undertaken in the country, the EC did fairly well.      

He however expressed worry about the frequent breakdown of equipment and machines like cameras, scanners, printers and computers, which brought chaos and confusion in certain registration centres across the country.      

The MP made the observations in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra, on his assessment on the biometric registration exercise and his chances in the forth- coming elections.       He was not particularly happy about the alleged statement made by Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Chairman of the EC, that some of the machines could break down on election day, saying Ghanaians deserved better than that.     

The MP said what Dr Afari Gyan should have told the nation was that given the challenges faced during the exercise, the EC was going to do its best to ensure that quality equipment and machines would be procured to minimize if not eliminate the breakdown of equipment on election day, instead of the unfortunate pronouncement, which had the tendency to create speculation and suspicions.     

He said the EC had been given the task to conduct free, fair and violent free elections and if they needed additional funds to do that, it was up to the Commission to approach the government.      The December presidential and parliamentary elections, he asserted, was very crucial to the nation's democratic credentials and nothing should be left to chance to undermine it.     

On his chances in the elections, Mr Joe Appiah, who is seeking a second term in office, said he was very confident of emerging victorious given the fact that even as an opposition MP he had done a lot for his people.     

He cited a number of bridges and storm-drains he had constructed to alleviate the plight of his constituents, majority of whom live in flood-prone areas.      

He gave assurance that when given the chance again, he would put into fruition his plans to put up modern Information and Community Technology (ICT) centres at Odorkor and five schools others at the Kwashieman cluster of schools.      

Since there is no government health facility in his constituency, the MP said he had lobbied through parliament for a polyclinic to be constructed at Darkuman to take care of the health needs of his people.
    

      

Source: GNA

CODEO releases provisional report on Biometric Voter Registration exercise

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) on Thursday released a provisional observation report on the maiden biometric voter registration exercise and commended the Electoral Commission (EC) for a good work done.   

"Based on the (more than) 6,188 processed observation checklists out of the expected 6,200 submitted by our observers, representing almost 100 per cent of the expected data, CODEO reiterates, its broad satisfaction with the conduct of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) exercise, notwithstanding the initial anxieties surrounding the fate of the exercise".    

Professor Mirinda Greenstreet, Co-Chair, CODEO who presented the report at a media briefing in Accra, commended particularly the EC, Ghana Police Service and Civil Society Organisations for their role in the entire registration process.     

She said the Coalition however, noted some irregularities and challenges in the last two phases of the exercise in relation to the poor understanding and application of eligibility criteria for registration, particularly the criteria to residency, age, identification and procedures for guarantors and challenges.     

Prof. Greenstreet said attention was paid to the conduct of the EC's registration staff, supply and handling of equipment and materials, conduct of party representatives, role of the police and response of the public to the exercise.    

The report raised concern about incidences such as inadequate supervision of electoral officials in the field, equipment malfunction and repair or replacement time, as well as challenges of the police in dealing with activities of so-called monitoring teams of political parties and other criminal elements.     

Prof Greenstreet said notwithstanding the various challenges, there were significant improvement in addressing some of the challenges over the period of the last two phases of the registration exercise, citing the quick police action to check the movement of unauthorised people into specific registration centres, which went a long way in minimising the incidence of violent clashes between rival party activists.    

She said CODEO was of the view that to prevent any national crisis during the pending polls in December, serious care must be taken to provide adequate protection of the verification equipment from the weather and provide back-ups and technician's support.   

The Coalition urging the EC to be thorough and diligent in implementing the next stages of compiling the voters register, recommended that any extension of the exercise to mop-up other eligible voters should consider students who were writing examinations during the period of registration.   

She said the report recommended that work of the District Registration Review Committees (DRRC) be fully supported and observed by all stakeholders, particularly the media, while the EC dealt appropriately with all cases of multiple registration and challenges that were filed by voters during the exercise.   

Prof. Greenstreet indicated that CODEO would continue with its observation of the process, particularly the work of the DRRC and exhibition of the provisional biometric voters' register and would issue its final report on the entire exercise after the registration process had run its full course and the voters register had been certified by the EC.            

CODEO is currently made up of 39 secular, religious and non-governmental organisations, which sought support from DFID to train and deploy 620 observers for the BVR under the supervision of 50 regional coordinators from March 24 to May five, covering a random sample of 620 polling stations in 100 districts in all 10 Regions of Ghana.   

The approach used by the Coalition's observers enabled them to obtain accurate and nationwide overview of how the BVR exercise has been implemented.

 

Source: GNA

Kumasi Polytechnic TESCHART congratulates Dr Abu Sakara Foster

Members of Tertiary Students Charter of the Convention People's Party (TESCHART - CPP), at Kumasi Polytechnic on Thursday congratulated Dr Abu Sakara Foster for "offering himself as an instrument to lead the CPP in Election 2012."      

In a statement issued by Mr Jacob Djagbletey, President, and copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra said "We promise to stand solidly behind him and endeavour to ensure victory for the party to transform the country's fortunes".      

"We are activated and revived by the massive attendance that characterised the just ended "gargantuan" congress and indeed the peaceful and organised manner in which the whole event took place."      

It said "We were particularly inspired by the Chairperson, Samia Yaba Nkrumah, who said "We have been banished, exiled, incarcerated, but they could not kill our spirit. It should be clear to all those who wish us harm that no circumstance could destroy our party."     

"It is in this spirit that we implore all of us to take absolute responsibility and continue to organise in order to seize power from the hands of selfish, visionless and  hopeless party's that have been at the helm of affairs in the last 30 years."

 

Source: GNA

Ketu-South NDC and youth groups slam Agyapong over hate speech

The Ketu-South Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in concert with a coalition of youth groups in the area has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to assist the country to maintain and gain from the strength of its ethnic diversity along the US model.

    

The call was made at a press-conference at Denu to register the group's displeasure at the alleged recent hate speech by Mr Kennedy Agyapong, Assin-North Member of Parliament (MP), that the Gas and Ewes in the Ashanti Region be eliminated.

     

Mr Ben-Bella Haligah, NDC Ketu-South Constituency Secretary, in a five-page statement asked the followers of the Danquah-Busia Tradition and its offspring the NPP, to put a stop to the tribalism and violent posturing they had been known for and rather embrace the peace and unity of Ghanaians.

   

He listed what he said were antecedents of hate speeches and incitements and comments against Ewes and the Volta Region by persons from that tradition, stressing that such conducts were negative to building a strong country.

    

Mr Haligah wondered what Ewes had done to make the likes of Agyapong to be so incensed against them. He took a swipe at the leadership of the NPP for lending support to the MP instead of condemning him for the "shameful hate calls which brushed the sensibilities of all well-meaning Ghanaians".

    

Mr Haligah however cited for commendation, Mr John Ndebugri, member of the NPP for coming out to condemn the shameful statement. "It is unfortunate that the appeal to tribalism and separateness has become a strategy of choice by the NPP in the run-up to the 2012 elections," he lamented.

    

Mr Haligah said the raging and past conflicts in Africa were prompts that promoting inter-ethnic ties was the best choice for Ghana. He urged the clergy, civil society groups and other stakeholders to stand up against irresponsible talks such as those voiced by Mr Agyapong.

   

Source: GNA

Brong Ahafo Traditional Women Leaders attend workshop on Peaceful Election

Mr Eric Opoku, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, on Wednesday stated that the use of intemperate and vituperative language by some politicians and individuals on radio and at political and social functions could thwart efforts in promoting peace in the country.     

This was contained in a speech read for him at a national workshop on the role of traditional women leaders in promoting peaceful elections this year in Sunyani. The workshop was attended by 50 queen mothers and was jointly organised by the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development (CIKOD), Institute of Development Studies, University of Cape Coast, and sponsored by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS).     

"You are all witnesses to what happened in this country in relation to the biometric registration exercise", he said and cautioned that "coming events, they say, cast their shadows".     

The workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of traditional women leaders to enhance and expand their democratic culture and knowledge base to facilitate a peaceful environment for political, social and cultural development.     

The deputy regional minister stated that since the promulgation of the 1992 constitution, the country had experienced peaceful and fair elections, and that the success story was a strong testimony of her democratic consolidation.     

He however stressed that "this is not to imply, however, that the democratic process has been very smooth and has not encountered any challenges.     

"Securing peaceful and fair elections in the country is a shared responsibility", Mr Opoku said and commended the organizers of the workshop for choosing to educate the traditional women leaders on the role they could play in promoting peaceful elections.

 

Source: GNA

Ghana Elections 2012 Daily News Review - 17th May, 2012

Ketu-South NDC and youth groups slam Agyapong over hate speech

 

The Ketu-South Constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in concert with a coalition of youth groups in the area has called on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to assist the country to maintain and gain from the strength of its ethnic diversity along the US model.

    

The call was made at a press-conference at Denu to register the group's displeasure at the alleged recent hate speech by Mr Kennedy Agyapong, Assin-North Member of Parliament (MP), that the Gas and Ewes in the Ashanti Region be eliminated.

     

Mr Ben-Bella Haligah, NDC Ketu-South Constituency Secretary, in a five-page statement asked the followers of the Danquah-Busia Tradition and its offspring the NPP, to put a stop to the tribalism and violent posturing they had been known for and rather embrace the peace and unity of Ghanaians.

   

He listed what he said were antecedents of hate speeches and incitements and comments against Ewes and the Volta Region by persons from that tradition, stressing that such conducts were negative to building a strong country.

    

Mr Haligah wondered what Ewes had done to make the likes of Agyapong to be so incensed against them. He took a swipe at the leadership of the NPP for lending support to the MP instead of condemning him for the "shameful hate calls which brushed the sensibilities of all well-meaning Ghanaians".

    

Mr Haligah however cited for commendation, Mr John Ndebugri, member of the NPP for coming out to condemn the shameful statement. "It is unfortunate that the appeal to tribalism and separateness has become a strategy of choice by the NPP in the run-up to the 2012 elections," he lamented.

    

Mr Haligah said the raging and past conflicts in Africa were prompts that promoting inter-ethnic ties was the best choice for Ghana. He urged the clergy, civil society groups and other stakeholders to stand up against irresponsible talks such as those voiced by Mr Agyapong.

   

Source: GNA

Ghana Elections 2012 Daily News Review - 17th May, 2012

We begin today's review with news from the political terrain and the daily guide reveals that NDC chairman joins NPP. Alhaji Osumanu Mohammed, the Sekondi constituency vice chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a die-hard supporter of the Rawlingses, has defected to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).Addressing a press conference in Sekondi, the former Sekondi constituency vice chairman stated that he was not happy about the way and manner in which the President Mills-led government was deviating from the principles and ethics on which the NDC was founded.

 In a related development the New Crusading Guide also informs readers that Over 350 NDC members Join NPP. Coming events, it is said, cast their shadows. There is every indication, according to some political analysts, that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Party will fall even before 7 December – When Ghanaians will be given another opportunity to exercise their franchise. The former Sekondi constituency Vice Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Osumanu Mohammed, and 350 other party members on Tuesday announced their defection to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) when the former was addressing a press conference as posted on myjoyonline.

The Chronicle under the headline Akufo-Addo holds town hall meeting says that the 2012 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Monday, met hundreds of artisans and professional workers in Koforidua to listen to their concerns, frustrations, and opinions on how to improve their various working conditions. Representatives of the various workers' unions and groups tool turns to ask Nana Addo questions and also proposed suggestions on how to tackle some of the problems confronting them at their various workplaces.

Daily Graphic also records that the Korley Klottey CPP is aspirant optimistic of winning seat. The Convention People's Party (CPP) parliamentary aspirant for the Korley Klottey constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Dr. Kaku Kabu-Davis has expressed optimism that he would win the sea, not only to represent his constituents in parliament but also bring the needed development to the people."I have strong confidence that I will win the Korle Klottey constituency seat. I am making positive inroads in the constituency" he hinted the Daily Graphic in an interview.

Still from the Daily Graphic, we are informed under the headline Skirt and Blouse Voting to surface in KEEA that the "skirt and blouse" voting pattern which surfaced in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) constituency and saw many in the area voting for president J.A.Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom of Convention People's Party as Member of Parliament in 2004 is likely to resurface again in the constituency in this year's election .This time round, a group in the constituency is rooting for Dr. Ato Quarshie, a former National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate against Dr. J.S. Annan, the incumbent MP.

More news from the political parties as the Ghanaian Times and the Daily Graphic report that Abuakwa South NPP youth roots for Owuraku Amofa, adding that the New Patriotic Youth of Abuakwa South has accused the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area for meddling in chieftaincy issues and called on the constituents to reject him in the December 7 polls. They alleged that for the past three years, Mr. Atta Akyea has substituted his prescribed duty of party organization and community development with the incitement of divisive and explosive chieftaincy issues.

Away from that, the Daily Guide brings to our notice that Volta Registers 1.1m voters .A total of 1,147,128 were registered in the Volta Region during the recent four-phased 40-day Biometric voters' registration exercise across the country. Laurencia Kpatakpa and Dogbe Selormey, Volta Regional Director and Deputy Director of the Electoral Commission respectively, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Wednesday that the figures were provisional.

An update on Kennedy Agyapong's statement reveals that Volta Chiefs react to Kennedy Agyapong's Outburst. The Chronicle, in this report states that the President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs; Togbe Afede VIX has regretted that tribalism and separateness have once again raised their ugly heads in the run-up to this year's elections. According to him while politicians had the right to pursue power, "they should remember that those who they aspire to lead also have the right to the peaceful enjoyment of their lives."

We move on to peace talk and the Daily Graphic informs us that the Christian council of Ghana (CCG) has urged Christians to strive to raise disciples of peace so as to spread the message of peace and tolerance in the December election. To that end, Christians have been urged to guard the peace and freedom that God has bestowed in the country and use every platform available to inculcate tolerance and the need to live in harmony as Ghanaians irrespective of the political party they belong to.

The Daily Guide also adds under the headline Incident-free elections shared responsibility – EC that the Deputy Upper West Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Alidu Dawuda has assured Ghanaians and the International community of the commission's preparedness to conduct free, fair and transparent elections with the active participation of all stakeholders. He noted that conducting peaceful and violent-free elections was a shared responsibility and called on political parties to allow the EC to perform its constitutional mandated duties without interference.

Still on peace talk, we are told by the Daily Graphic that Palmer – Buckle calls for transparent polls. The Church of Pentecost (COP) on Tuesday held its 13^th Extraordinary Council Meeting in Accra, on the theme, Disciple to make others Disciples of Christ'. The meeting was attended   by various area heads and pastors from Ghana and beyond.

From the same paper we are informed that Unpatriotic acts of youth condemned. Mr. Sulemana Mumuni, Upper West Regional Director of the National Youth Authority, has condemned violence, indiscipline, arrogance and other unpatriotic acts by some youth in the country .He expressed worry that some politicians influenced the youth to engage in political or electoral violence.

Finally, the daily Graphic ends today's review with a report that Political parties have been called upon to positively engage young people as a way to end violence. In the view of a Commissioner of Ghana's Electoral Commission, Mrs. Pauline Dadzawa, a major contributing factor to youth violence during election periods in Africa was the unhealthy engagement that political parties take its youth through. The paper reports this under the headline engage youth to end electoral violence.

This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.

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