Journalists urged to aim at conflict prevention reportage

The Tema Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has organized a day's election seminar for its members with a call on media practitioners to tilt their reportage towards conflict prevention during the December 7th general elections. Mr Afful Monney, GJA National Vice President, who made the call on Friday, reiterated that to prevent creating chaos and conflict during the electioneering period, journalists must desist from declaring unconfirmed results. The seminar, which was on the theme: "Towards a peaceful election: the role of the media", was sponsored by the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA), Tema Development Corporation (TDC), Ghana Shippers Authority, and Everpure Ghana Limited. Mr Monney added that media practitioners must rather endeavor to enhance upon the professional reportage delivered during previous elections. He called for comportment of journalists at the polling stations as well as using of only authentic sources, and cross checking of facts before broadcasting. He further asked journalists not to allow their political preferences to colour their reportage, but must focus on issues and provision of equal space and time to all political parties contesting the elections. Mr Gabriel Manu, Tema Metropolitan Director of the Electoral Commission in a presentation said even though the law does not allow journalists to participate in the special voting, on December 7th properly accredited reporters could be allowed to vote early to enable them monitor and report on the election as expected of them. Mr Manu also urged accredited journalists to announce their presence to the presiding officers at the polling stations before taking pictures and other information to avoid any confrontation and misunderstanding. He gave the assurance that to ensure that the election process was smooth and fast, the register had been arranged alphabetically for easy location. He added that his outfit had recruited a total of 2,340 people to supervise the election at the 468 polling stations under his jurisdiction. Out of the 2,340 officers, Tema East Constituency would have 610; Tema West Constituency, 765; Tema Central Constituency and Kpone-Katamanso constituencies, 405 and 560 respectively. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Maxwell Atingane, Tema Regional Police Commander, in a speech read on his behalf by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Olivia Turkson, Tema Police PRO, said all Ghanaians had a responsibility to ensure a smooth electoral process before, during and after the election. DCOP Atingane stated that the media must be agents of development rather than directly or indirectly affect the emotions of the public negatively through the broadcast of inflammatory statements that would incite opposing factions. He also implored the media to be factual in their reportage and to desist from rushing to declare winners since the authority to declare results rest in the arms of the Electoral Commission. He also urged the media to quickly inform the Police when they received information on challenges facing people at any polling station. Mr Godfred Blay Gibbah, Chairperson of the Tema Chapter of the GJA, said the seminar was aimed at sharpening the skills of members to enhance their reportage during the election. He said the seminar theme was very important because journalists must be fair, accurate and objective in their reportage to ensure a peaceful election. Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse, who chaired the programme congratulated the GJA for their contribution towards the development of democracy in the country and urged them to continue the good work.

GNA

Police-Public collaboration needed to ensure peaceful elections - DSP Zangina

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Francis I. Zangina, Asutifi South District Police Commander has appealed to the public to collaborate with the Police to ensure a free and fair election on December 7th. He said the Police had acquired much experience from previous elections conducted as well as identified some causes of electoral violence at polling centres.DSP Zangina made the call at an educational forum organised by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Ghana on Friday to educate the public on the need to ensure peaceful election this year. It was on the theme: "Promoting Citizenship Education to Enhance Election Peace, Transparency and Credibility in Ghana". DSP Zangina urged the public to report conducts and actions of people whom they suspected might create tension to breach the prevailing peace before, during and after Election 2012. He noted that the Police conducted investigations on reported cases and tip offs from informants, but did not rely on rumours and encouraged the public to come out voluntarily with information that would enable them to perform in the interest of the nation.DSP Zangina said all the necessary mechanisms and measures had been instituted by the Police Administration to ensure that the citizenry exercised their franchise without fear or intimidation from any group or persons. He said the Police was neutral and ever ready to provide equal security assistant to all political parties during their campaigns and rallies. DSP Zangina warned that any person, political activists or supporters, who tried to misbehave or violate the electoral laws, would be arrested and prosecuted.Mr Batong Braimah, Asutifi South District Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), urged the public to have confidence in the EC. He said the biometric voters register now in place would not affect voting but help to control and check all electoral malpractices.Mr Braimah urged the public to visit the polling stations to cast their votes on time and return home safely for peace and tranquility to prevail.Mr Jimaken Attah John, Asutifi South District Director of NCCE, urged the public to understand that election was a democratic system through which the citizenry exercised their right. This he said reinforced the principle that governance power was derived from the sovereign will of the people. He urged the public to develop and promote political tolerance since all Ghanaians could not belong to the same political party and pleaded with the public to avoid political insults and fabrication of lies against personalities with the aim of sustaining or gaining power. Ms Ellen Owusu-Adjei, CDD Representative, observed that in spite of the success in the country's previous elections some weaknesses and flaws were exposed. She stressed the need to reform key democratic governance institutions, administrative arrangements and to improve citizens' understanding and appreciation of peaceful democratic elections.

GNA

Ghanaians asked to retain NDC in memory of late President Atta Mills

The Western Regional Youth Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC),Mr.Daniel Darlington has called on Ghanaians to vote for the party if they really love th late President John Evans Atta Mills and the achievements chalked during his administration. He said the love and unity exhibited by Ghanaians during the demise of Prof.Mills should be reciprocated as they go to the polls by voting massively for the NDC. The ideals of the late President,he noted,had been pronounced by sitting President John Dramani Mahama who was treading on the path of late President Mills. Mr.Darlington expressed these sentiments in an interview with the Ghana News Agency(GNA) after an NDC mini-rally in Takoradi. He said as a tested and proven leader,President Mahama had brought his expertise to bear on the affairs of the nation in the last four months. "It is therefore certain that the President will be retained in office to continue to execute the Better Ghana Agenda to better the lot of Ghanaians'', said the Organizer. Mr.Darlington added that the Mahama-led administration had a lot of interventions for the youth and asked them to campaign massively for the NDC to retain power. He reminded Ghanaians that the Mills-Mahama led government had not been vindictive as was witnessed in the erstwhile NPP regime because the NDC had not embarked on any agenda to persecute and prosecute political opponents since it took the reigns of government in 2009. The Organizer expressed optimism that the NDC will win most of the seats in the Western Region due to the rapid development of the area.

GNA

 

 

 

 

Eight Polling stations in Kassena-Nankana cannot vote

Eight out of the 99 polling stations in the Kasena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region, comprising 3000 people would not be able to vote in the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Mr Pawiah Ofori, Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) on Friday said the Atosale, Azanze , Akurugu Daboo and Abinpingo polling stations who refused to take part in the Biometric Voter registration exercise would not be able to vote. Mr Ofori was responding to questions by Political youth activists at a workshop organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Navrongo on the theme, "Empowering the youth to stand up for Ghana for a peaceful election 2012". He stated that other areas that would not be able to vote were the Doba and Gayingo areas that also constituted four polling stations. Some party youth representatives at the workshop also voiced their displeasure about some polling stations that were still draped in party colors even though election day was around the corner. The EC official gave the assurance that those areas would be  checked and appropriate actions taken to correct the situation. ASP Abdul- Latif Nbonwura,  Navrongo Municipal Police Commander, said peace was essential at this time when Ghanaians prepared for the polls. The Police Commander, speaking on the topic, "Public order act and elections: Prospects and challenges", assured participants that plans were in place to provide all polling stations and flash points adequate security in the 198 polling stations that included Kassena-Nankana West. He urged all to exercise tolerance and to direct their problems to the appropriate quarters for redress rather than take advantage of any problem to create trouble. He advised all aspirants to consider each other as brothers and to accept the results of the polls when they are announced. Madam Mary Ankrah, head of Programmes ,NCCE, tasked all political parties whose representatives would be monitoring the polls to select those who had numeracy skills to supervise the counting of ballot papers so that they would all accept in good faith the results. She said some parties had the tendency of presenting "macho men" whose presence at polling stations could intimidate the electorate.

GNA

PNC Members in Upper East Divided on Ayariga’s Removal

The Peoples National Convention (PNC) is divided on calls for the removal of Mr Hassan Ayariga as the party's flag bearer barely two weeks to go for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. A section of the party's supporters have claimed they have evidence to buttress their assertion that the PNC flag bearer was set up by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to divide the PNC even from the onset when he sought to contest for the flag bearer position. However, the Upper East Regional Secretary of the party, Mr Henry Fatsu has expressed a contrary opinion on the attempts by his party members to remove the flag bearer at a crucial moment when election day is just around the corner. He said he did not share the idea of removing the candidate and that the very people who were seeking the removal of Mr Ayariga were also alleged to have been bought by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to destabilize the PNC and gain some political credit. Mr Fatsu who spoke to the Ghana News Agency on telephone from Accra, said: "The party is strong in the Upper East Region, members are going about supporting the campaigns of various Parliamentary candidates and we shall not bow to any pressures". He indicated that Mr Ayariga was funding most of the parliamentary candidates including his own campaigns and said the very people who wanted him out were the people who campaigned and voted for him to become the flag bearer, and questioned why they would suddenly turn around and accuse him of being bought by a different party. Mr Fatsu recalled the imprisonment of MalamYahaya, a Sports Minister during the NPP Administration and the brutish treatment of the late President Hilla Liman by the (P)NDC, saying that both parties for a long time had sought to disintegrate the PNC without success. He wondered why some party members should stab the party in the back now. He noted that the demand to remove Mr Ayariga would involve interpreting the party's constitution which would mandate a congress and said within the short time left for the polls, and considering the party's financial stand, it was not prudent for members to call for the removal of the candidate. Contrary to the Regional Secretary's opinion is Madam Agnes Atayela, Regional Chairperson of the PNC who said she strongly supported the removal of her party's flag bearer without any reservations because the long standing suspicions some party faithfuls held against him seemed to come to pass. She expressed fury at the flag bearer and said since he was made the leader everything seemed to go wrong in the party, mentioning the flag bearer's ineptitude and deliberate attempt to kill the party by flirting with the NDC. She observed that the flag bearer had failed to make funds available to the party in the region and said in spite of the refusal of the leader to resource the Parliamentary candidates in the region, most of the candidates were doing very well and had brighter chances of winning their seats. She indicated that the party had regretted for bringing Mr Ayariga on board only for him to become a stooge and to lick the boots of the NDC at the expense of the party. She expressed her support for the immediate removal of Mr Ayariga as flag bearer of the party, adding "it is better to go for election now without a flag bearer than to have a flag bearer who is deceitful". The Regional Secretary however said Mr Ayariga's performance at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) debate was inaccordance with the rules and regulations set by the Institute. She added that Mr Ayariga's performance on that platform had improved remarkably and wondered why his own party members would suddenly turn against him at this crucial time when he needed them most. The PNC Parliamentary candidate for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency, Mr Rockson Akuguri, indicated that a dismissal request by some party members at a crucial time to election was not a prudent option. He said even though the party's leader had erred by allegedly throwing his support behind a different candidate when he was a candidate himself, Mr Ayariga should be pardoned for his action. "I believe he erred but it is too late to call for his dismissal, he could be reprimanded but not dismissed", Mr Akuguri added. Mr Henry Adivila, a sympathizer of the party indicated that the removal of Mr Ayariga should have come a long time ago. "The speculations that he was flirting with the NDC came to light during the early days and even from what we have heard about what the NDC was doing for him secretly, it is politically inexpedient. So the decision to get him off should have come long ago, but it should come anyway". The GNA's investigations also reveal that the PNC in the Upper East seems to be a divided party, with one group strongly opposed to the NPP and in favour of the NDC, while a section is deeply involved with the NPP. Speculations are that the two groups would come out to support their favourite sides if there is a second round come December seven. The PNC has a large following in the Upper East Region, especially in Bolgatanga and has produced parliamentary candidates from the region since the inception of the Fourth Republic. Mr David Apasera had served two terms as Member of Parliament for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency on the ticket of the PNC and currently the PNC holds the Builsa South seat.

GNA

Exercise your franchise carefully - Mrs Amissah-Arthur

Mrs Matlida Amissah-Arthur, wife of the Vice President, on Friday called on women to exercise their franchise in the December elections in order to elect candidates that would advance their aspirations. She made the call when addressing representatives of women professional bodies and Muslim women during her three-day visit to the Western Region at Fijai near Takoradi.  Mrs Amissah-Arthur said women would have to consider their welfare and development and vote for candidates of their choice.   She said this could require women to vote for their preferred candidate, independent of the choice of their husbands.   Mrs Amissah-Arthur said she would use her position to champion the cause of women and help women groups address their various needs.  She said the NDC has done a lot to improve the lives of women and will continue to improve their lot when it wins the election.  Addressing students of Holy Child Teacher Training College, Mrs Amissah-Arthur urged the students to take their studies seriously and remain disciplined. Mrs Amissah-Arthur said "discipline is the hallmark that would take them far and discipline persons love one another and do not insult and run others down". Madam Emelia Arthur, Deputy Western Regional Minister, said it was important to stay united as the December 7 polls would soon be over "so let us keep the peace and remain focused".

GNA

CDD-Ghana organizes Parliamentary debate for candidate in Ablekuma West

The Centre for Democratic Development in collaboration with the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers on Friday organized a Parliamentary debate for aspiring candidates in the Ablekuma West Constituency in Accra. Mr Theodore Dzeble, Public Affairs Officer CDD-Ghana, said the debate was to afford the parliamentary aspirants to make known and interact with their constituents on plans and policies ahead of the December polls. The contestants included Miss Victoria Hamah, from the National Democratic Congress, Ms Ursula Owusu, New Patriotic Party, Mr Daniel Nii Noi Osikai of People's National Convention and Magnus Asiamah Bekoe of the National Democratic Party. The programme was supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa. Mr Dzeble said the debate would contribute to the democratic development of the society where viable contestants would be subjected to questions from moderators and the constituents to see the viability of their policies for the area.He said CDD-Ghana had organized similar debate in Adenta, Odododiodio, Tema West and Central Constituency which focused on thematic areas such as governance, health, education, employment disability and the economy. Ms Hamah said on employment, the NDC government as part of its manifesto hopes to tackle unemployment through its Jobs and Enterprise Development Fund (JEDF) and would ensure that the people of the Ablekuma West benefited from the initiative. "As a Woman activist, am committed to raising the social and economic status of Women through increased access to Medium and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) facilities" she added. She promised to set up a centre for persons with disability to improve their skills through the support from the Member of Parliament Common Fund. Ms Owusu said when voted into power she will provide access to Quality education by lobbying for the improvement in educational infrastructure in the constituency, ensure better teaching and learning aids, provide scholarships for brilliant but needy children and training programmes for dedicated teachers. She promise to organize regular community health screening for diseases such as diabetes and hypertension and eye problems and facilitate public education on health related issues in collaboration with health professionals. "Would institute regular interaction with constituents through quarterly or biannual electoral forums and establish legal education and literacy forum to assist constituents resolve minor legal issues. Mr Bekoe also expressed the hope to organize workshop for persons with disability in the country and to create awareness of the plight of their condition. He said would improve the sanitation problem in the constituency through regular de-silting of drains when voted to lead the constituency. Mr Osikai promised to decentralized medical delivery in the constituency and help in the construction of new hospitals and clinic for improved health services since the area can only boast of one hospital.

GNA