Shama District registers 41,372 voters

The Shama District of the Western Region registered a total of 41,372 eligible voters at the end of the third phase of the biometric registration exercise.  

The fourth phase also ended on Friday on a very successful note, and the District Chief Executive, Mr Enoch Kojo Appiah, expressed gratitude to God and the entire constituents for their sense of oneness, peace and understanding that contributed to the successful exercise.    

Touring the registration centres in the constituency at the last leg of the exercise, Mr Appiah appealed to the electorates to continue to exhibit tolerance and cordiality towards one another to ensure a peaceful and successful election come the December 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections.     

He said at the end of the day the entire nation would have chalked success to prove to the outside world that Ghana is a true peaceful country whose hospitality cannot be challenged.  

During the rounds, registration officials told journalists that response towards the exercise had been very favourable, as voters never behaved violently while they received their registration materials on time to work with.    

The Nkran Beposo, Islamic Primary, Ohiamawhen, Yabiw and Nkwantakesedo registration centers has recorded 316, 435, 405, 484 and 515 respectively at the time of visit.    

The Registration officials attributed the low patronage at the last day of the exercise to the fact that many of them turned out in their numbers during the first three phases of the exercise. The district has 87 registration centers.

Source: GNA

Ghana Elections 2012 Daily News Review - 7th May, 2012

We begin today's newspaper review with reports from the papers about the just ended biometric registration exercise. The Daily Graphic, Daily Guide and The Chronicle bring to our notice that Biometric registration ends; over 12 million people register saying that the novelty biometric voters' registration exercise for the 2012 general election ended on Saturday. The Electoral Commission (EC) is yet to come out officially with the number of voters registered in the 40-day exercise.

The Daily Graphic also reports with the headline 'registration exercise disrupted that the biometric voters' registration at Akenkor, near Akyem Wenchi in the Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region, was disrupted for four days following the assault of two female officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) by a thug by name Kwabena Asara on Sunday. The victims, Ms Laurencia Kwadia and Ms Beatrice Akite, sustained serious injuries on their arms and hands and had to receive treatment at the Dominic Hospital at Akwatia.

Still on the biometric registration exercise, we are told in the Daily Graphic and the Crusading Guide that there is no need for wholesale extension. Most officials of the biometric voters' registration in the Ashanti Region have said they do not support the idea of a wholesale extension of the exercise which ended on May 5. They were of the view that the 40-days period for the registration exercise had been very successful in terms of the number of applicants who turned out to have their names compiled in the new voters roll.

 The Daily Guide also indicates that Togolese biometric fraudsters caged, adding that three Togolese, who were arrested for fraudulently participating in the biometric registration exercise at Kotobabi' in Accra, have been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court. The three who were charged with voting offences, explained that they registered for business purposes.  The court, presided over by Mrs. Adwoa Coleman, subsequently remanded them to re-appear on May 18, 2012.

In a related development, the Ghanaian Times reports in the headline EC Official expresses concern about "machomen" that Mr. Samuel Boadu, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Electoral Commission has expressed concern that some political party agents and followers still violated the rights of the prospective applicants at some biometric registration centers. He said some people were prevented by party agents and followers from registering on the grounds that they belonged to different parties or places of origin other than where the registration was taking place.

Away from the biometric registration but still on elections, we are informed in the Ghanaian Times that National Election Task Force to be inaugurated. The National Security will soon inaugurate a national Election Task force to be headed by the inspector General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye, to map out strategies and ensure a peaceful election. Mr. Paul Timbillah, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Greater Accra Region, who announced this in Accra on Thursday at the inauguration of Eminent Persons Group (EPG), explained that the task force would be made up of all the security agencies in the country. He said the task force would include the police,immigration,Fire  Service and military, among others and would  be also  be launched at the district and regional capitals, all in the effort to maintain and ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the election year.

The Volta Regional House of Chiefs has said that the increasing suspicion, rivalry and sometimes tension among the various ethnic groups in the country fuelled by politics does not augur well for the country's progress. The Daily Graphic under the banner Volta chiefs against ethnic politics adds that "We, therefore, would like to call on all Ghanaians to receive with skepticism politics that play on the forces that divide us, that play on the sentiments that make us uncomfortable, and instead, begin to welcome endeavors that seek alliances within our nation."

The New Statesman also brings to our notice that EX-Minister blames political tension on weakening institutions. A former  deputy Ashanti regional minister, Osei  Assibey Antwi, has  attributed the recent  high political  temperature in the country to what  he calls 'the continued weakening  of public  institutions ' resulting  from 'unprecedented unnecessary  political interferences.'' He particularly mentioned the Ghana Police Service, Electoral Commission, the Ghana Journalists Association and the Media Commission as institutions that are not doing enough in the execution of their mandate.

The Ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Abokobi-Madina constituency, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho has reiterated the need for Ghanaians to embrace peace before, during and after the December general elections. He noted that: 'there can't be development without peace and that peace should be the priority of all Ghanaians,'' the Chronicle quotes him under the caption There can't be development without peace in Ghana-MP 

We move on to political party activities as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party for the December 2012 Elections, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, has expressed appreciation to the Muslim Community for the great support they had shown him since his appointment and endorsement as the NPP Running Mate. Last Friday, he hit the capital city of the Northern Region, Tamale, to among others, worship with fellow Muslims at the Tamale Central Mosque. Both the Daily Graphic and The Heritage report this under the headline Bawumia seeks blessing.

We round up today's newspaper review with the Daily Graphic's news that the Progressive People's Party (PPP) has encouraged the chiefs and people of the Volta Region to give the party a chance by voting it into power in the 2012 elections. With the heading give us chance, the paper states that according to the party, it had pledged to provide incorruptible leadership that would ensure the strengthening of state institutions to bring efficiency, increase revenues and eliminate corruption.

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

Follows us on twitter @Ghanaelections

 

Use the pulpit to preach peace - Bishop of Sunyani

The Right Reverend Kofi Asare Bediako, Bishop of the Sunyani Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana, has asked the leadership of the church in the diocese to use the pulpit to educate members on the need for peaceful elections in December.    

Bishop Bediako was addressing the opening of the 33rd annual synod of the diocese at the Wesley Cathedral in Sunyani on Friday. The four-day synod is under the theme "Harnessing our gifts and resources for the development of the diocese".    

The Bishop advised members of the church to avoid the politics of insults before, during and after the elections.  

"Do not fan the flame of political violence. We should know that we are one people and Ghana is our only home so let's all do our best to ensure continued peace and development", he added.    

"We are richly endowed but as long as each operates in isolation there cannot be harmony and synergy", he said. The Methodist leader pledged his administration would work hard to strengthen the capacity of the education unit of the church to play its supervisory role.    

He said four months in my administration the Sunyani Diocese with the assistance of Wenchi Diocese purchased a 4x4 Nissan pick-up vehicle worth GHȼ44,000 for the office of the regional manager of the Methodist Education unit.    

The Bishop noted that since Sunyani Technical Institute was upgraded into a Polytechnic and the vacuum created had been filled by the establishment of a Technical Institute, which had been absorbed by the Ghana Education Service.    

He however stated that "since the institution is new and currently being administered solely by the Church, it was facing enormous challenges and therefore called for assistance from traditional authorities, Members of Parliament (MPs) and other stakeholders in the municipality.   

Bishop Bediako said the church had proposed a formal tuition-free evening classes in Sunyani municipality for all who want to pursue Senior High School (SHS) and adult education but lacked the financial support, adding the programme would begin in October this year. "The programme will be replicated in other circuits if this one proves successful", he added.    

He added the academic staff for the evening classes would be selected from the Ghana Methodist Students Union (GHAMSU) and that a full time minister chaplain and two auxiliary ministers had consented to assist the Diocesan Youth Organizer (DYO) to coordinate their activities in the diocese.    

He said the church is also working hard to complete quarters for a resident midwife at Kwakuanya clinic, which is expected to be in operation in June this year.    

Mr S.B. Nsankyire, Diocesan Lay Chairman, commended the Bishop for assisting the church and pledged him the full support of members of the church to enable him to deliver more for the Diocese.

Source: GNA

NCCE Director urges youth to avoid defacing campaign posters

The Prosper Afealete, Ketu-North Director of the National Commission on Civic Education has advised the youth against destroying and defacing posters belonging to political parties and their candidates. He said the practice is equally as dangerous and condemnable as the use of intemperate language by politicians.     

Mr Afealete gave the advice when he addressed pupils at Penyi and Dzodze respectively on Friday to mark the Citizenship Day to mark this year's Constitution Week.     

The Day was to educate the youths on good citizenship and encourage them to become responsible citizens. He advised the youth the help protect the integrity and peace of the country, because conflicts would mar the country and their future.     

Mr Charles Nornoo, Executive Director of the Development Solutions Centre, a non-governmental organization, reminded the youths of their rights and responsibilities as good citizens. He told them to be law abiding as well as protecting the environment and engage in voluntary activities.

Mr Nornoo urged them  emulate Ghana's First President Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Mr Kofi Annan, the former  UN Secretary-General, by learning hard.

Source: GNA

Unite us and stop the threats, politicians urged

The National President of the Christian Friends of Democracy, Rev Samuel Adjei has called on the political leaders of the country to stop threatening the peace and unity of Ghanaians and rather find ways of giving hope to the people.    

He said the country has reached a stage where it needed leaders who could help bring people with various ideas together for the progress and development of the country and not leaders who would seek to place their partisan interest above that of the nation.    

Rev Adjei was speaking with in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the current political situation in the country at Aburi at the weekend. He expressed worry at the situation where the leading political parties in the country are engaged in activities that are likely to endanger the future of the country yet seems not to realize the dangerous effect of their activities. 

Rev Adjei said there are many orphans, widows, women, children and older people around who in the event of any confusion in the country may have nowhere to go.      

He called on the leadership of the political parties in the country to stop the blame game and the partisan defense of threatening statements and find ways of presenting messages of hope and peace to the people.

Source: GNA

Campaign in peace and avoid inciting violence - Asantehene

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has advised politicians to be humble and truthful in their quest for power to lead the country. He said since power emanates from the people, they must refrain from acts likely to create confusion, and instead campaign for their votes.   

The Asantehene was speaking at a special thanksgiving church service at the Saint Cyprian's Anglican Cathedral in Kumasi on Sunday to mark his 62nd birthday and 13th year anniversary celebration of his ascension to the Golden Stool.

Among the number of hundreds of people from all walks of life who attended the ceremony were, the former President, John Agyekum Kufuor and the wife, Mrs Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, former ministers of state, parliamentarians, chief executives, heads of department, security agencies and chiefs.    

The Asantehene decorated in a rich kente cloth and gold ornaments, with the wife Julia by him, said people who wanted to win power through violence would fail. He said there was the need for politicians in the country to protect the people and ensure peace and tranquility before, during and after the December general elections.

He asked the church to pray for him so that God gives him the power, wisdom and good health to promote and support the welfare and development of the people. He Asantehene gave thanks to God for all that he had been able to do in serving the people and hoped God would continue to give him the courage and strength to continue with the work in honest and justifiable manner..   

The Rt. Rev. Dr Daniel Yinkah-Sarfo, Anglican Bishop of Kumasi prayed for the Asantehene, his family, Asante Monarchy, the nation and a peaceful election this year. He asked that God leads guides and directs him with the support from the chiefs in his effort to deliver justice.    

The Bishop said the church would always seek God's blessings for him in ensuring peace and progress of the country. The Rt. Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben Smith, Sufragan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, Kumasi, in a sermon advised Christians to pray for the leaders of the country.    

He said as Christians, they should always be closer to God and pray to him for the spirit and power to lead upright lifestyles.

Source: GNA

Yendi prays for peaceful elections

A non-denominational thanksgiving service has been held at Yendi for the coming elections and peace in Dagbon. The gathering prayed for the President, Ministers of state, members of parliament and traditional authorities.  

Most Rev Vincent-Sowah Boi-Na, the Catholic bishop of Yendi, said as the country was approaching crucial national presidential and parliamentary elections in December 2012, there was the need for every Christian to pray for the nation.     

He said it was important to realize that the coming elections did not necessitate the beating of war drums, wielding of dangerous weapons and the use of inflammatory language adding that it was an election for peace, justice, harmony, upholding the sacredness of life and protecting the dignity and the right of every individual.     

Bishop Boi Nai said it behooves on every citizen to make a conscious effort to protect the relative peace in the country and to help accelerate its development of process.

Mr Issah Zakaria, the Yendi Municipal Chief Executive, said it was unfortunate that when the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Security councils are making efforts to sustain peace in the communities, some people are still bent on fomenting trouble.     

He commended the Yendi Local Council of Churches for the efforts they are making to sustain the peace in the municipality. He appealed to both Christians and Moslems to continue with their fasting and intercessory prayers saying there is still tension in some communities.     

Mr Zakaria said everyone would account for their deeds whether good or bad on the Day of Judgment so it is better they do what is right for peace to prevail.

 

Source: GNA