"Let us all rally behind the winner of the elections"-President Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama on Monday appealed to all stakeholders to play their roles responsibly to ensure a peaceful and successful general election this week.

He said: "Ghana has organized five previous successful elections, and there should not be any reason why this year's election should not be successful."

President Mahama, who was presenting a peace message to the Presidential Press Corps at the Castle, Osu, called on leaders of all political parties to educate their supporters against anything that could undermine the peace and unity of the country.

He appealed to all the people to rally behind whoever emerges as the winner of Friday's election to ensure peace and unity in the country.

"I am very sure God's favour will allow all of us to smile at the end of the general elections and to rally behind the winner," he concluded.

GNA

Vigilance is the key for December 7

This Friday, Ghanaians will go to the polls to choose who they want to lead them for the next four years. The patriotic call to all communities across the country is simply this: Take it upon yourself, peacefully and legitimately, to protect your ballot, to protect your mandate, to protect your democracy, and to protect your nation. We of the Danquah Institute would be remiss if we claimed not to share the same concern about the politics in Ghana becoming as divisive as they have been over the last several months. However, the Danquah Institute stands together with those tirelessly working to maintain peace and ensure that Ghana remains a free and fair democracy.
No matter the outcome calm must prevail and we must return to living our lives in peace with each other. NDC, under Jerry John Rawlings, with the late John Evans Atta-Mills as its Presidential Candidate, did well to the admiration of all to accept defeat and hand over peacefully in 2000. The NPP also has an admirable history of not just committing to peace with words, but also with actions, even when their opponent win with a razor thin margin as occurred in December 2008. So, in Akufo-Addo and the NPP, Ghanaians have a track record from which to draw considerable comfort. Can we say the same would happen if John Mahama or the NDC were to lose next week? Their record speaks for itself and all Ghanaians must not tolerate any kind of impropriety, unfairness, or cheating in this election. We are a democracy and the people must be allowed to speak without threat of violence or danger. Should any of these issues arise on Election Day, whoever is in power must prosecute the offenders with equal application of the law, no matter what party they support. Violence and unequal application of the law cannot be tolerated in a free society.
Ghana has built a reputation as an example for peace on the African continent, thanks in large part to the hard work the NPP has done. This not only enhancing the quality of life for Ghanaians but it enhances our security and our economy. Even the mere suspicion of impropriety in our election next week would undo all of this progress we have made as a nation.
Nana Akufo-Addo addressed all of these things in his address at Institute of Democratic Governance event in Kumasi this week. Criticism immediately followed, suggesting that Nana's mention of the President's record in the by-elections was out-of-place at what was intended to be a national peace rally and coming together in a positive spirit.
But the stakes are too high to remain silent, and Nana did right by his own supporters, and in fact by all Ghanaians by challenging President Mahama to back his rhetoric with real action.
We have come very far as a nation and are regarded as a jewel on the African continent for the sustained progress we have made over the past 2 decades. The election of 2008 proved this, when Nana Akufo-Addo, the Presidential Candidate of the NPP, conceded immediately after losing by the slimmest of margins. For him, and for his party, protecting the peace and the sanctity of our democratic institutions was important than gaining access to power.
Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the ruling party today, in 2012. President Mahama specifically has not matched his sweet words on the topic of peaceful elections with real and tangible deeds. The ruling NDC faction instead has given Ghanaians plenty of reasons to question their attitude towards the fundamental building block of our nation: peace.
There have been several incidents wherein the NDC government, during elections in three constituencies since they have been in power, refused to investigate, condemn, acknowledge, or even express sympathy for acts of violence by NDC activists upon NPP supporters. These incidents, needless to repeat the details of, were witnessed by police and caught on video, but yet even today there is no substantial action from the NDC government, let alone the President himself. Simply put, the rule of law has not been allowed to work in these instances. While we may naturally have a difference of opinion on issues as members of rival political parties, we are still all Ghanaians and we should treat each other with dignity and respect, without regard to political affiliation. Partisanship and justice are not ideals that belong together, but the NDC seems to believe they do.
While servicing as Vice President, John Mahama was Chairman of the National Police Council, where he did nothing to condemn or even show disapproval of these incidents. It is blatantly unacceptable for an elected official holding high office to tacitly endorse violence in the name of political ambition. This trend of inaction continues to this day as he sits in the office of President and has continued this culture of validating political violence. As the saying goes: silence is approval.
The reality is this. Unlike Nana Akufo-Addo, John Mahama has no track record of adopting the gentlemanly course of gracefully accepting defeat after losing an election, simply because he has never tasted defeat at the highest level of political competition where the stakes are most high. Given his recent implied complicity with the aggression upon his fellow Ghanaians, how can we trust that John Mahama's rhetoric calling for peace will match his action when the votes are tallied and he comes up short? The record so far shows that he and his government are unable to carry out their duties as elected officials in a professional and nonpartisan manner. We cannot afford a ruling party whose key leaders stick their heads in the sand or look the other way while others are brutalized by violent supporters of his own party.
In a democracy - a constitutional republic like Ghana, voters go to the polls to choose leaders who will make decisions that impact their lives. But if those leaders have not demonstrated that they will compete fairly, and have not sufficiently demonstrated a commitment to peaceful, free and fair elections, then the rest of the discussion on the issues is moot. What good will it do to discuss which candidate is more passionate about free SHS, which candidate will restore an NHIS on the verge of collapse, or which candidate will transform Ghana's economy into a modern, industrialised one if the election will be marred by violence on the part of those so desperate to cling to power that they will even provoke violence to achieve their selfish goals? I applaud Nana Akufo-Addo for holding John Mahama's feet to the fire. Leadership is about accountability

So let us go and vote, and may the best man win. But let all Ghanaians be mindful: vigilance is the price of freedom, and vigilance is the NPP motto for December 7. Let vigilance be the motto for all well-meaning Ghanaians on December 7. If that happens, we are guaranteed a peaceful, free and fair election because the sum total of well-meaning Ghanaians far outnumber that of the rest.

The author is the Executive Director of the Danquah Institute.

 

Daily Graphic

 

Africa Elections 2012 - Global Eyes Are watching Ghana

A very popular Ghanaian proverb affirms: "A child who knows how to wash his hands eats with Kings." On 6th March 1957, when Ghana asserted itself as the first country in black Africa to wrench its independence from the colonial Britain, the country became the torchbearer of the black race and a global centre of political attention in Africa. Since 1992 Ghana has held five successful presidential and parliamentary elections in the midst of democratic turbulent in continental elections. This feat motivated the international community to describe Ghana as the "beacon of democracy in Africa. In fact, the European Union has politely declined an invitation to come down and observe 2012 elections in Ghana. In their estimation, Ghana has proved beyond doubt that the country has democratically matured and can manage its own electoral affairs without external supervision. This is the highest honor any African country can dream to attain in geo-politics. Yet, the Former UN Secretary General Dr Kofi Annan has cautiously   noted that, "the best is yet to come."   Dr Kofi Annan was recently reported in the Ghanaian media as saying, "When elections are conducted in integrity, without being disfigured by election motivated violence that is democracy." "Flawed elections can create unrest, setting back development by decades," the wise veteran international diplomat opined.  Repercussions of election violence in some African countries such as Kenya, Serra- Leon and Cote d'Ivoire are still serving as scars on the conscience of Africa. In seven days from the date of writing this piece, precisely on Friday, 7th December 2012, over 13 million Ghanaian biometric registered voters will go to the polls to elect a president out of eight presidential candidates and 275 parliamentarians. The writer has observed that the fear of the unknown is causing national psychological anxiety amongst Ghanaian electorates. The anxiety is even more intense amongst the presidential candidates themselves and their partisan supporters than the general electorates. Why? Because of the acrimonial campaign strategies some of the political parties have adopted as the voting date approaches. What to do? Another Ghanaian proverb admonishes: "An elderly person at home does not sit down   to watch children engage in verbal argument that may lead to physical exchange of blows resulting in someone losing an eye or a tooth." It was the traditional wisdom in this proverb that goaded Ghanaian elders to set a historical political record in Africa in 2012.  Do you want to know what happened? On Tuesday, 27th November 2012, in the cultural capital city of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, within the premises of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KUNST) the National Peace Council did something that was unprecedented in the political history of Ghana if not in Africa. On that memorable day, the National Peace Council under the auspices of the modern Asante King, Otumfo Osei Tutu II, and with the technical and administrative support of an Accra –based Institute for Democratic Governance, summoned all the presidential candidates to a rare meeting to pledge to the people of Ghana that they would uphold peace, before, during and after the elections. Like prospective jobseekers   shortlisted for interview all eight presidential candidates humbly responded to the call. President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Henry Lartey, the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Progressive People's Party (PPP), Mr. Akwasi Addai, United Front Party (UFP), Mr. Hassan Ayariga, People's National Convention (PNC), Dr Abu Sakara Foster, Convention People's Party (CPP), who was represented by his running mate, Madam   Akosua Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankuma and Mr. Joseph Osei Yeboah, Independent candidate,  all publicly signed a declaration to ensure peace during the December 7 polls. The historic event was held under a broad them:  "Promoting peaceful elections and justice: Taking a stand against electoral violence, impunity and injustice." The document to which the presidential candidates appended their signatures was dubbed as the "Kumasi Declaration" and was administered by no less a personality than the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Her Lordship Mrs. Justice Georgina Theodora Wood.  It was more or less like swearing an oath of office. And the people of Ghana will hold them accountable to it. The forum was made even more glamorous and glorious by the presence of the only two living Former Heads of state of the county since independence. They were President Jerry John Rawlings and President  John Agyekum Kufuor.  These statesmen did not only grace the occasion with their huge and giant physical persona but did share a few words of wisdom with those who were racing to sit on the hot throne they once occupied. President Rawlings for instance, admonished that there was the need for fairness in the electoral process to prevent any unwanted situation. "Ghana has been blessed with peaceful transitions in the Fourth Republic and nothing must be made to dent this image," he warned. President Kufuor cautioned the presidential candidates not to see the signing of the peace pact as something done for themselves but for the nation as a whole. "The security agencies and the Electoral Commission must do their work with diligence and honesty," he advised. Besides the two Former Commanders-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, the current Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Peter Augustine Blay, the Inspector General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye, and the President of the National House of Chiefs, Wulugu Naba Pugansua, Naa Professor John S. Nabila, were among the high profile personalities, who were at packed hall. But one group of people who ought to be commended to the blue heaven is the religious gurus of our beloved country. From the Chairman of the Peace Council himself, the Most Rev Professor Emmanuel Asante, the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Christian Council, the Charismatic Authorities, the Islamic Faith leaderships, the Traditional African Religious Authorities right down to ordinary church goes, Ghana must count itself blessed to be inhabited with souls that are amenable to peaceful co-existence regardless of race, creed or faith. The purpose of this article is not to pretend to be holier than thou, but to politely refresh the memory of all compatriots that the entire globe is watching Ghana with one single eye. The world would want to see whether Ghana would be able once again conduct free, fair and peaceful elections in Africa. As we go to the polls on that mystical day of 7th December, 2012, let us prove to ourselves and not anyone else that we are unique in the true sense of the word. That God is Ghanaian and Ghana is the chosen land of God to fulfill His own commandment of universal PEACE!

 

Daily Graphic

CODEO speaks on Pre-Election Environment Observation

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observer (CODEO) is pleased it report on the  pre-election environment for the  month  of November 2012. This is the sixth and last  in the series  of CEDEO monthly pre-election  observation  reports. The  report is  based on weekly  reports  filed  by the  Coalition's Pre-election Field Observation (FOs) who  have  been  deployed to 100 Districts  in over100 constituencies throughout  the country to observers the pre-election environment .

Summary of Finding

CODEO FOs report that   the political and electoral environment has tensed up, but remains largely peaceful;

The Electoral Commission has intensified it preparations towards the December 7 polls

Political  Parties , Parliamentary  and Presidential candidates  have intensified  Regional and Constituency campaign activities:

Increase incidence of defacing of rival  political   party  posters in the  constituencies:

The National Commission for  Civic Education (NCCE) organizes parliamentary  candidate's debates and continues  its civic  and peace education  campaign in the communities;

Civil Society groups  have stepped up their campaign  towards issue- base  politics  ahead of the elections;

While  the media  remains  one of  the major  platforms  for campaigning and conducting  public  education in the constituencies, it has also  increasing  become  a platform for  personality  attacks.

Issues affecting marginalized groups continue to feature less in  political  discussions and campaign  platforms of political parties; and CODEO finalizes its preparation to deploy  over 4000 observers on Election Day.

Main Findings

The political and electoral environment is tense ,but remains  largely  peaceful

CODEO FOs report that a few days to the December 7 polls, tension is beginning  to rise in the political and electoral activities  in the  observed constituencies across the country. However, the general election  environment has remained largely peaceful.2

Electoral  Commission (EC ) readies  for December 7

CODEO FOs report that the Electoral Commission (EC) is finalizing  its preparations  for the December 7 polls. The EC has recruited and organized training programs for  its election-day personnel who will  be operating  the Biometric  Verification  Devices  (BVD) on Election Day. For Example, in  New Edubiase  in the Adansi South Constituency  in the Ashanti Region, the EC trained  290  verification and presiding  officers on November 24,2012.

The Commission has also been distributing to its outlets  in the regions  and districts  voting  logistics  such as  ballot boxes . Indelible ink and other materials. In the Greater Accra  Region , for instance  the Commission  is reported  to have  started  distributing  and labeling  the ballot  boxes  for the respective  polling  stations.

The Commission 's Regional and District  officers  have also  been  meeting  the parliamentary  candidates  and other  stakeholders  in the constituencies  to brief  them about  its preparations so far  and what is expected  of the candidates  and their  agents on December 7, in Ningo  Prampram  Constituency in the Greater Accra  Region, the Commission held  a forum  with the  aspiring  parliamentary  candidates  to  brief  them on its  preparations, the verification process, declaration of results  and on  how to  determine  valid  votes , spoilt and rejected ballots.

Political  Parties  Intensified  their Campaign activities

CODEO FOs reported  that many  of the political parties in the constituencies have stepped  up their  preparations  as Election Day  draws nearer. Party  branded mobile  vans, T-shirts, fliers  and large  and  colourful billboards are  much  in evidence  everywhere  Also, Parliamentary  . Candidates are reported  to be working  very hard  to outdo each  other.

Some of  them are visiting  constituents  in  their  homes, markets places  and in  the churches  to canvass for votes. For example, the NDC aspiring  parliamentary candidates for the Ayawaso  Central in the Greater  Accra Region  on Sunday  November 11, 2012 paid a visit  to the Presbyterian Church  to interact  with  the congregation and to ask  for  their  prayers   and votes.

Furthermore, the presidential candidates  have intensified  their  campaign  activities  in the 10 regions.

For example , the candidate  for the NDC , President  John Dramani Mahama, visited  Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region where  he interacted  with  the Chiefs  and people in the surrounding  communities  and rounded off his visit  with a party  rally at the Jubilee  Park.

The NPP presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, was also reported to be busily campaigning in the Asante  Akim North  Constituency in  the Ashanti  Region.

Defacing of Party Posters

CODEO FOs report an increase  in the act of defacing  party posters in the constituencies observed with the National Democratic  Congress  (NDC)and the New Patriotic  Party  (NPP)being  the most  affected.

For example in the Dormaa Central  Constituency  in the Brong Ahafo  Region, both  the NDC and NPP  have complained  of the  destruction removal of each  other's party paraphernalia.

Also in the Akan  constituency  in the Volta Region, the posters  of the  NDC aspiring  parliamentary  candidate  were defaced.

National Commission for Civic  Education (NCCE) organized parliamentary candidates' debates  and also  continued  its civic   and peace  education  campaigns.

The National Commission  for Civic Education (NCCE) is reported  by CODEOs FOs  to have  organized  parliamentary  candidates  in some constituencies.

CODEO FOs reported  of debate  in the Dormaa East  Constituency in  the Brong Ahafo  Region. The debate afforded the candidates the opportunity to respond  to issue bordering  on agriculture , health  education, road , water  and sanitation.

The Commission also continued with civic  and peace  education  campaigns in the communities , churches  and in schools. The Commission  organized a voter  education  outreach  at  Asato  and Ahamansu  in the  Akan  Constituency  in the Volta Region to educate  voters on the need to eschew  violence  before, during and after  the elections.

Civil Society  efforts  to Promote Issue Campaign

As the December 7 election  draws  closer , civil  society  groups  both  religious  and secular , have stepped  up  efforts  to promote  issue –based  campaigns .CODEO  FOs report, for example , that on November  19, the Methodist  Church  in the Juaboso Constituency  in the Western Region  invited  all the  political  party parliamentary  aspirants  to outline  their  vision  and programs  to the covered parliamentary  candidates' debates organized  by CDD-Ghana in collaboration with CODEO in some  constituencies. In the Nkwanta South  and  Banda  Constituencies  in  the Volta and Brong Ahafo Regions  for example , the debates  were well  attended  and they were largely  peaceful.

Abuse of Incumbency

CODEO FOs  reported  two instances  of incumbency  abuse  during  the period. For instance, a CODEO FO reported  that the  PNC  Parliamentary  candidate  for the Akan Constituency  of the Volta Region , who  is a Deputy   Director  at the Ghana Education  Service (GES) is  still at post. Also  in the Krachi  West Constituency  in the Volta Region , a  CODEO  FO reported  that,  the District  Chief  Executives . Mr. Moses  Ponye  is using  his office  hours  and his official car  to support NDC  parliamentary candidate  Ms. Hellen   Mtoso to campaign  in the constituency.

Non –inclusion of Issues Affecting  Marginalized  Groups in  Political  Party  Campaigns

CODEO FOs  reported  that issues affecting  marginalized groups  like  women and persons with  disabilities continue to be ignored  on major  campaign platforms and media  discussions (apart  from the CDD-CODEO Parliamentary debates).

For instances  at both  the NDC  and  NPP rallies  in Bolgatanga and Asante  Akim North , FOs reported  that no  specific  reference  was made  on issues affecting the physically challenged.4

The Media

Media ,especially radio, continuous  to remain  a major  vehicle  for political  party  campaign  activities  and for public  campaign  activities  and for public  education  in the constituencies , However  CODEO FOs also report of a worrying  trend  in the media  where  politicians  attack  their  opponents  on instantiated allegations . for example  on November 13, 2012 , an NPP sympathizer alleged on Solar FM , a local radio station in the Upper Denkyire  East  Constituency  in the Central Region that Dr. Mark  Kurt  Nawani , the NDC  aspiring  parliamentary  candidates , buried  a live cow with  the photograph of the NPP parliamentary  candidate , Nana Amoako  for superstitious reasons.

Commendations CODEO   commends:

The Electoral  Commission (EC) for giving  renewed  vigour  to its  preparations  for the elections  and for  initiating  dialogue  with stakeholders aimed  at ensuring  peaceful polls.

The NCCE for organizing  debates  for parliamentary  candidates  and for  intensifying  its civic  education  efforts in the communities  and schools.

Civil Society Groups  for their  continuous  efforts  in promoting  issue base  campaign.

Recommendations CODEO recommends that:

The district  Election  Security  Taskforce  to step  up  the monitoring  of political  party  campaign  activities  and to deal swiftly  with  any breaches  of the law;

Political parties  and candidates  must caution  their  members  and supporters  to refrain  from defacing  posters  of their  political  opponents  and to respect  the code  of conduct  signed  by the parties  themselves ;

The  government  and the NDC party  to advise its appointees to refrain  from actions  and activities  that are deemed  unfair  to political  opponents so as to  ensure  a level  playing  field  for all  candidates;  and

The media should  be more circumspect , responsible ; and objective in its reportage .

CEDEO  ready to deploy over  4000 Election Day  Observers

The Coalition of Domestic  Election Observers (CEDEO) is the  final stages  of preparation to deploy over 4000  dedicated non-partisan  Ghanaians to monitor, the December7 presidential and parliamentary  elections. The Coalition has concluded the training  for its 4000 Election Day Observers after successfully training its 30 Regional Election Day Coordinators and the 280 Constituency Supervisors.

The 4000 observers who will be deployed to a representative  sample  of 4000 polling stations randomly selected from 275 constituencies throughout  the country will enable  CODEO to objectively report  on the conduct of polling  on December 7, CEDEO will once again employ the parallel vote  tabulation (PVT) methodology to independently collate the  election results  as announced by EC officials  at the polling stations. By this methodology, CODEO will be able to independently verify the presidential result as declared by the EC. CODEO's pre-election observation and Election Day observation are made possible by the generous support of the American People through USAID, Ghana.

The Heritage

Peaceful polls; the role of the media

A few days ago, we pointed  out  that  ensuring  a free , transparent  and  peaceful election is not  the responsibility of only  the Electoral Commission (EC).

We reminded all Ghanaians that even  though  a greater  responsibility  rested  with the EC ,every Ghanaian has the duty to ensure the election passes off, peacefully.

Barely four days  from the momentous  election, it has become critical and necessary to single  out  for caution, the media whose  role  is crucial for the successful conduct  of  the elections.

To forestall any unpleasant event  engulfing  the country , it is important to remind media practitioners, particularly  journalists, of  the ethical exhortation which enjoins them to  ensure  that  their  reportage and  commentaries in the run-up to the  election is fair , accurate and balanced.

The point  we are  trying  to drive home  is that , journalists and  the media  practitioners  by the nature  of  their  profession, could  easily  abuse  their power.

We therefore , add our voice  to the  numerous  appeals by well-meaning Ghanaians, and bodies, including ,  the National Media Commission (NMC), to them, to exercise  great caution in the reportage and commentary on political activities leading to  the election, and not  to compromise  on fact , objectivity and balance.

Going by the reports we have received so far; the society 's greatest fear  at the moment  is the irresponsible and dangerous use of the media's power, since it could plunge the nation into  chaos.

We need to check the radio talk show hosts, presenters, media proprietors and political commentators whose contribution to debates insults, and totally bereft of facts.

As the days draw nearer, we can only  remind  ourselves that, the misuse of the media  has the  tendency to plunge  the nation into chaos, as  happened  in Rwanda and Kenya.

We must all resolve  not to go  down that path. But it would take circumspection on the part of the media , to avert  dragging  us down  that road, by upholding  the ethics of the profession.

The Times also calls on all politicians  to tone down  their rhetoric , and eschew  the attacks, insults , lies  and unsubstantiated facts  that have  characterized our politics, and instead provide  us with  concrete solutions to the numerous socio-economy issues which are begging  for answers.

The Ghanaian Times

Electorates urged to conduct themselves in a civil manner to preserve peace

The Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Henry Kweku Hayfron has appealed to the citizens of the municipality to desist from engaging in actions that can inflame passions in the December 7 elections and thereafter. He said belonging to a different side of the  political divide did not make one an enemy. "Politics is about disagreeing to agree and not about who is the strongest in terms of physique for opponents to fight", Mr Hayfron said when he addressed  the second ordinary meeting of the session of the sixth assembly at Saltpond. He urged the citizenry to conduct themselves honourably to make the elections free, fair, transparent and incident free to enable the peace the nation was enjoying to be sustained. The MCE urged members of the assembly to cooperate with the security operatives and report suspected trouble makers and people with diabolic intentions to the security personnel. "Let us not destroy the good image the nation has attained in democratic dispensation worldwide", the MCE stated. Mr Hayfron expressed worry about the inability of the Assembly to raise enough internally  generated funds (IGF) to meet the day to day running of the Assembly. "As you are aware, a sound revenue base does not only sustain the administrative machinery and development programmes of the assembly but is also an important factor in determining our share of the District Assembly Common Fund," the MCE reminded the assembly members. He said though the assembly had been allocated GHc797,313.80 as it s share of the District Assemblies' Common Fund for 2012, only allocations for two quarters had been received as follows. First Quarter Gross GHC165,272.50, Net 49,793.63; and Second Quarter Gross GHC139652.79, Net GHC 28,178.99. The Municipal Chief Executive said the Assembly in collaboration with the Member of Parliament for the area had implemented 141 projects under the Better Ghana Agenda from 2009-2012. He gave the breakdown of the projects as follows: Education infrastructure – 50, water and Sanitation – 43, Health – 5, Roads – 23, Markets/Economic Projects – 10, ICT/Residential accommodation – 10. He said the assembly also engaged 106 youth in Community education-teaching assistants, 112 in Health Extension work, 15 in Community Project Unit, 14 in Youth in Fire Safety and Prevention Assistants, and five as Prison Service Assistants. The rest are: 18 in paid internship and Industrial attachment,  200 in Trade and Vocation (hairdressing and dressmaking) 243 in Waste and Sanitation (Zoomlion) and 679 in afforestation (Zoil). The Assembly later approved its Fee- fixing Resolution for the 2013 fiscal year.

GNA

 

 

EC holds special voting tomorrow December 4

The Electoral Commission (EC) says it is ready to conduct the Special voting scheduled for tomorrow December 4.

Mrs Sylvia Annor, Principal Public Relations Officer of the EC said in Accra the Commission was well grounded and on top of the task ahead as far as the special exercise was concerned.

She said all the ballot papers and all other voting materials had already been dispatched to the various districts and constituencies to be distributed to the polling centres.

Electoral officers have also been trained, well prepared and are already on the ground for this exercise which forms part of this year's general election scheduled for December 7, Mrs Annor added.

Generally, the security personnel, made up of the Police, Military, Prisons, Immigration, Fire Service and others who would be working on the voting day such as members of the Commission are expected to vote in the special voting.

In the greater Accra Region, the Regional Director of the EC, Mr Alexander Poku-Akubia said the number of polling stations had been increased from 2,980 to 4,116.

All polling stations that had more than 1,100 voters had been split into two, he said.

He said the EC was prepared for envisaged challenges, such as the break-down of equipment or registered voters who had lost their Voter's ID cards, adding that such people would be allowed to vote after going through the verification system.

"We will deal with other challenges when they emerge," he said.

There are eight presidential candidates, one of whom is an independent candidate.

They are President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Abu Sakara of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Mr Hassan Ayariga of the People's National Convention (PNC), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Mr Akwasi Addai of the United Front Party (UFP), Dr Henry Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) and the Independent candidate, Mr Joseph Osei-Yeboah.

GNA