TIG Post

Tag: 2020 elections

  • Election 2020: EU election observers to produce observation findings soon

    A member of the European Union election observation mission (EUEOM), Caliguiri Giovanni has indicated that the observer group has its members scattered across the country to monitor happening during the election period.

    He told the media that the group will collate the findings and present it through its chief observer from Italy.

    “The European Union election observation mission started to observe the entire process before the elections.

    “Today is just one part of our observation but we are going to issue a press statement after the election. So in a couple of days, you will get our findings because, at this moment, other colleagues are observing other polling stations… ” Mr Giovanni told Class News’ Isaac Ohene.

    Voting has officially ended throughout the country.

    The exercise, which began at 7 am officially ended at 5 pm.

    Source: Class FM

  • Election 2020: High voter turn-out at Ankobra in Ellembele

    Western Regional Correspondent:

    Presiding Officers at various polling stations in the Ellembelle constituency, have lauded the high voter turnout in the on-going Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

    According to them, voters started casting their ballots as early as 7am.

    They told Ghanaweb correspondent that the enthusiastic voters were eager to vote as they have been trooping to the centers in their numbers.

    At the Sanwoma(Ankobra) Roman Catholic Primary, school, the Presiding Officer, Sampson Ndefo said turnout was encouraging as 467 out of 624 voters had cast their ballots.

    The Presiding Officer at the Methodist Church at Sanwoma, Mr. Derrick Arthur told Ghanaweb that 300 out of 652 had cast their ballots as of 2pm.

    The number of voters who had exercised their franchise at the Ankobra Catholic primary school was 465 out of 624.

    The Presiding Officer at the center, Mr. Sampson Ndefo disclosed that voting started as early as 7am with strict adherence to the safety protocols such as wearing of nose masks, washing of hands and social distancing.

    Mr. Ndefo said 2 verification machines were at their disposal making the exercise very smooth.

    He told Ghanaweb that no problem or technical hitch had been encountered so far.

    He also described the voter turnout as high as the number in the queue anxious to exercise their franchise, was very much encouraging.

    Mr. Arthur also observed that the atmosphere had been calm and peaceful without disturbances.

    He was sure that voting will end successfully.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • CBD empty as pockets of traders record low sales

    The Central Business District (CBD) of Accra is empty with pockets of traders conducting business in front of closed shops and pavements.

    The Ghana News Agency monitoring team, during a tour of the CBD on Monday to assess the impact of the elections on sales, showed that most shops at Makola, Rawlings Park, and Tudu were closed.

    The usually busy streets were empty while commercial drivers struggled to get passengers.

    Speaking to the GNA at Tudu, Emmanuel Arhin, who trades in ladies dresses said sales had generally been slow, and that, he was among the early voters at Santa Maria and decided to come down to the market to do business.

    He said because of low sales, he would be leaving the market for home.

    Ama Achaa, who deals in men under wear said she came to Tudu about 05:30 hours but but sales has been bad due to the ongoing polls.

    Achaa said she would be voting at Kinbu Senior High School later on, saying that; “I will only walk to the place and cast my ballot.

    Ruth Quaicoe a roasted plantain seller at the Rawlings Park said she arrived at the Rawlings Park at about 09:00 hours to sell for the few people around who may need food to eat.

    Ruth said she was yet to cast her ballot at Dansoman, adding that, due to the low traffic, she hopes to get to Dansoman early to cast her vote by 15:00 hours.

    A middle aged woman who only gave her name as Erica said she travelled from Osu to purchase some items but the shops were closed.

    According to her on previous holidays, she gets whatever she wants to buy but this time around almost all the shops were closed.

    Belinda Mensah, a resident of Kasoa, who was at the CBD to sell pepper and onions has not made enough sales because a few people were around.

    Belinda said “sales has been slow. I will soon pack my items and go home to cast my ballot”.

    Another trader, Anita Sammy, who sells nose masks said she thought people would need nose masks for the election but the Makola market area was virtually empty.

    According to Anita she would be casting her vote at Kwashieman but was waiting to see if some customers would show up to buy before leaving.

    Source: GNA

  • Brigitte Dzogbenuku, PPP Presidential Candidate votes in Krowor

    Madam Brigitte Dzogbenuku, Presidential Candidate, and Progressive People’s Party (PPP) on Monday cast her ballot at the Selim Crèche Nursery Polling Station at the Krowor Constituency.

    The PPP Presidential Candidate described the process as smooth which she attributed to growth in the nation’s democratic process.

    She was optimistic that the PPP was going to win the Presidential race as well as get good number of Parliamentary Candidates Elected.

    The polling station had in place all COVID-19 protocols and security personnel at post to ensure security.

    Source: GNA

  • New Juaben South: Voting ends amidst heavy rains

    Voting has ended in the New Juaben South constituency at exactly 5 pm under heavy rainfall.

    The rains which started at 4:30 pm with a windstorm are still falling as of 5:15 pm.

    Ghanaweb’s correspondent in Eastern Region reports that Electoral officials together with party polling agents are tallying their figures and to start counting at the Koforidua Nursing Training College.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Voting progresses steadily in Ellembelle

    Voting is progressing steadily in the Ellembelle constituency of Ghana’s Western Region.

    As early as 6 o’clock in the morning, prospective voters had started trooping to the Registration centers in all the 152 polling centers in the constituency.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) insisted that all safety protocols regarding the Coronavirus pandemic were strictly being observed to avoid any spread of the virus.

    At the Nkroful Day Care center, voting started at exactly 7 am and 20 voters out of 470 voters in the register had cast their ballots as of 7:35 am.

    The Presiding Officer at the center, Mr Benedict Ewur told Ghanaweb that the Electoral Commission had made adequate provision for the conduct of the polls with one verification machine and a backup.

    At the Nkroful market center No.2, the Presiding Officer, Benedict Blay said 383 prospective voters had been captured in the register.

    He told our correspondent that voting started at exactly 7 am and as of 7:35 am, 20 voters had cast their ballots.

    He said the EC had supplied the center with 2 verification machines.

    At the market center, Nkroful No.1, 31 voters out of 427 registered voters had cast their ballots as of 7:44 am.

    The Presiding Officer, Richard Jessie Koomson said the two verification machines were available for the exercise.

    He described the voting process as orderly and peaceful and added that voters were tickling to the center steadily.

    The Presiding Officer at the Teleku Bokazo community center, J. K. Donkor told Ghanaweb that 83 out of 655 registered voters had cast their ballots as of 8:56 am.

    He said two verification machines were available for the exercise.

    Mr. Donkor observed that the EC had not recorded any challenges thereby making the process very peaceful.

    However, at the D/A Primary school at Teleku-Bokazo, prospective voters without nose masks were not allowed to vote and were asked to go for their nose masks.

    The Presiding Officer, Matthew Gyesie told Ghanaweb that 44 out of 445 voters had exercised their franchise as of 9:20 am without any challenges.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • LIVESTREAMING: Voting ends across the country, counting begins

    Voting has officially ended across the country as at 0500 GMT on December 7, 2020, as 17 million Ghanaians voted to choose a new president.

    GhanaWeb Election Desk brings you a livestream of the vote counting as well as updates from across the country where our journalists and correspondents as well volunteers numbering about 100 are on the ground to cover.

    There was relatively smooth voting on Monday with a few incidents recorded.

    Follow the livestream below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bFB6nZDyV0

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Election 2020: Top security officers tour voting centres in Ashanti

    Brigadier-General Joseph Aphour, the General Officer Commanding the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, has led a team of top regional security officers to tour voting centres across the Ashanti Region to reassure everybody of adequate security protection.

    The Team, which included Commissioner of Police (COP) Kwasi Mensah Duku, the Regional Police Commander, was out there to assess things on the ground and to ensure that nothing was left to chance.

    There are in excess of 300 designated hotspots in the 47 constituencies in the region, which has the second largest voter population of 2,885,419.

    Brigadier-General Aphour, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), applauded the people for the way they had comported themselves, so far.

    He said he found it encouraging how things had gone.

    Areas they toured included the Manhyia Palace Polling Station One, in the Manhyai South Constituency, where the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, voted with the wife, Lady Julia, Asawase and the Oforikrom Constituencies.

    Source: GNA

  • Election 2020: Biometric challenges confront voting process in Abuesi in Shama

    The Western Regional Organizer of NDC Japhet Baidoo has called on officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) to as a matter of urgency rectify an on-going biometric problem confronting the voting process in Abuesi, one of the fishing communities in the Shama Constituency.

    He claims officials manning the various polling stations in the community are deliberately delaying the voting process, while using the biometric challenges as an excuse.

    According to Japhet Baidoo, the community has been the strongest base of NDC, and therefore any attempt to disenfranchise the people through delay tactics would be resisted by the party.

    Speaking in an interview, the Regional Organizer, called on the Electoral Commission officials dispatched to the community to discharge their duties without fear or favor.

    He wants the EC officials to rectify the problem confronting the affected polling centers in order to offer over two thousand electorates an opportunity to exercise their franchise.

    As at 300:00 pm, the NDC Regional Organizer said only over hundred electorates had cast their ballots in the area leaving many in queues.

    The situation in Abuesi, he underscored could create tension in Shama if not addressed immediately by the EC officials.

    Even Methodist Primary School polling station, which is in front of the house of the NDC Parliamentary candidate, Gabriel Essilfie, he noted, has also been affected by the challenges facing the machines.

    Under the circumstance, Japhet Baidoo says, the EC boss in the Region must step in to assure the electorates that they will have an opportunity to exercise their franchise despite the hiccups encountered.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Election 2020: 122 inmates of Akuse Prisons exercise their franchise

    Eastern Regional Correspondent:

    Inmates at the Akuse Prisons in the Lower Manya Krobo of the Eastern Region have been casting their ballots in Monday’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections where they have a chance, just as any other Ghanaian, to vote in a country where incarcerated people also have voting rights.

    Presiding Officer at the first polling center inside the prison yard, Barbara Buadu said the 122 inmates, all males, are part of 212 registered voters who are voting at the Akuse Prisons Inmates polling center at Akuse today.

    The polling center is divided into two parts with one set of election officials stationed in the prison yard with the other, positioned in front of the yard where members of the general public are currently voting.

    Presiding Officer at the Polling Station outside the yard, Mitsugah Sylvester Atsugah disclosed that 27 persons had voted outside the yard as at 3pm.

    Aside having the chance to decide who leads this country as President for the next four years, the inmates are equally deciding on who represents the constituency in the august house of Parliament.

    Three Parliamentary Candidates including the incumbent MP, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi running on the ticket of the NDC, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Samuel Nuertey Ayertey running on the ticket of the NPP and Daniel Ofoe representing the Ghana Union Movement.

    Voting is expected to end at 5pm.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Election 2020 [Photos] – Ghana votes

    A woman preparing to cast her vote

    Election ongoing smoothly at a polling station

    voters waiting patiently for their turn

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Rain disrupts voting in parts of Volta Region

    Voting in some parts of the Volta Region had to be suspended following a rainfall in the area.

    The rains lasted for more than an hour and affected some polling stations in Hohoe, Dzodze (Ketu North), Dzolokpuita (Ho West), Kpando and Sogakope (South Tongu).

    Jemima Achivors reports that the rain started in Hohoe around 2pm and dispersed both Polling Station Officials and voters for about 15 minutes, bringing the polling procedures to a standstill.

    At Dzolokpuita, Agnes Melissa Yovo reported that the Presiding Officer, Mr. Joseph Odeitey said that the voting exercise was put on hold because of the rain.

    The electoral officers and security personnel had to keep the election materials and ballot boxes from the rain.

    Slow process at Alavanyo

    Earlier, some voters who spoke to Graphic Online at the United Primary sch. polling station at Alavanyo Abehinease, complained that the process was too slow as they had been waiting in queue since 12 noon.

    The presiding officer at the station, Mr. Arnold Agbo however said the process was smoothly progressing as over 300 voters out of 536 had already cast their ballot after midday.

    He however expressed concern that most voters did not follow COVID 19 protocols in wearing their masks.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • NDC raises issues with ongoing 2020 voting

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of allegedly stuffing ballot boxes with thum printed ballots allegedly in favour of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    The Director of Elections of the NDC, Mr Elvis Afriyie Ankrah at a press conference Monday afternoon alleged that the said ballot stuffing happened in Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, Circle in Accra and Bimbilla in the Northern.

    He alleged that a certain constituency chairman of the NPP was the one in charge of the alleged ballot stuffing.

    The NDC Director of Election also alleged that the security agencies intentionally did not deploy many security officers to to regions such as the Ashanti Region to undermine the process.

    Intelligence

    Mr Ankrah also claimed that the NDC had picked up intelligence which allegedly indicated that the police have been ordered not to escort ballot boxes to collation centres.

    He called on NDC supporters and Ghanaians in general to be vigilant and follow the ballot boxes to ensure that they were not tempered with before they arrived at the collation centres.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Election 2020: Police on a hunt for thugs behind Awutu Senya East shooting

    The Ghana Police Service says it is on a wild chase for occupants of a 4X4 SUV who shot at a KIA saloon car with registration number GW 2375-20 injuring two persons in the process.

    Reports from the Awutu Senya East constituency in the Central Region indicate that two polling agents of the National Democratic Congress were shot at and wounded.

    The two were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

    The Ghana Police Service says it is on a chase for occupants of the SUV which shot and sped off.

    “Voting is progressing steadily and peacefully across the country. At Kasoa in the Awutu Senya East Constituency, however, Police is on chase for occupants of a black 4×4 SUV who reportedly shot occupants of a silver-coloured Kia private salon car with registration number GW 2375-20,” The Ghana Police Service wrote on its Twitter handle.
    Few months ago, the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Mavis Hawa Koomson fired warning shots at a registration center because she suspected that some miscreants were coming to the Polling station to cause mayhem.


    Source: My News GH

  • Mfantsiman: Voting underway without hitches

    n the Mfantsiman Constituency in the Central Region, voting in the 2020 elections is ongoing without any hitches.

    Graphic Online’s correspondent in the area for the elections, Emmanuel J.K. Arthur reports that some voters formed queues at 5.40am at the Catholic Primary School Polling Station at Ekurabadze in the Saltpond District.

    Electoral materials arrived by 6.15am by which time all party agents and EC officials including security personnel assigned were at post.

    Voting began 7am and by 8am 36 people had voted.

    The presiding officer, Mr Ebo Afful insisted on strict compliance with Covid-19 protocols including social distancing and wearing of face masks.

    The chief of the area, Obrempong Egyiri Aggrey expressed satisfaction with the processes, the arrangement and atmosphere at the polling station and asked for patience and tolerance throughout the voting period.

    At the Court House Polling station A at Anomabo, the presiding officer, Mr. Benjamin Darku told Graphic Online that out of the 402 registered voters, 75 had voted as of 9.02 am and that no incident had been recorded.

    The situation was same at the Court House Polling Station B where 89 out of the 400 registered voters had cast their vote by 9.10am.

    At some polling stations, both voters and officials were compelled to undertake the exercise in the scorching sun due to the absence of a tent and such was the situation at the Anglican JHS at Anomabo where only 97 out of the 546 registered voters had exercised their franchise by 9.25am.

    Next was the CPB Market Shed Polling Station 1A at Abandze. Here, 103 of the 401 registered voters had cast their ballot by 9.36am while the CPB Market Shed Polling Station 2 and 1B had seen 20 and 90 voters voting as of 9.40am respectively.

    Both stations have 157 and 400 registered voters respectively.

    The Methodist Primary School at Abandze has 732 registered voters on its list and 116 of them had voted by 9.50am.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Bimbago South residents boycott 2020 election

    Residents of Bimbago south Electoral Area in the Bunkpurugu Constituency in the North East region have boycotted the ongoing voting exercise in protest of lack of social amenities in the area.

    The residents declined to vote when officials of the Electoral Commission arrived at the community Monday morning to set up their equipment.

    Graphic Online has gathered that all attempts by the Member of Parliament for the area, Solomon Boar to convince the aggrieved residents to rescind their decision proved futile.

    The North East Regional Director of the EC, Gabriel Manu who confirmed this to Graphic Online said the electoral officers have set up their equipment at the polling stations but the residents have declined to vote.

    “I understand they have declined to vote because they have not provided them with some developmental projects”, he said.

    He indicated that the EC officers were still at the polling stations as government officials continue to negotiate with the residents to rescind their decision, adding that it was not under the mandate of the EC to interfere in that matter.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • EC sacks presiding officer for allowing special voter to vote again

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has sacked a presiding officer at a polling station in the Korle-Klottey constituency for allowing a special voter to vote again.

    The presiding officer, Nehemiah Amu Antwi, who was manning the Standards Education Centre polling centre at Asylum Down, was relieved of his post after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) filed a compliant with the District Election Officer.

    A technical officer of the EC, Mr Bernard Hagan, is now acting as the Presiding Officer (PO) at the polling station.

    He told the Graphic Online that Mr Antwi allowed a voter on the absentee list (special voters) to vote again.

    “The PO allowed a man on the absentee list to vote again. As it stands now he has been sacked,” he said.

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Dec 7 polls: This EC has done well – NAPO

    Minister of Education, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh says the current leadership at the Electoral Commission (EC) has done far better than their predecessors.

    On Monday, December 7, the lawmaker for Manhyia South constituency cast his vote in the constituency in the ongoing presidential and parliamentary elections.

    Speaking to TV3 after exercising his franchise, he stated that the Commission had done commendable work.

    “I can tell you that making a register available in its full report for people to cross-check and make sure that people are there has never happened in the history of the country. The parties have been given a full rendition of the register with pictures and dresses and everything.

    “The voter register in this country has been published fully for the public so yes I do support that they have done well,” he said.

    The Electoral Commission published the Voters register weeks before the election.

    That action by the Electoral Commission was met with some level of scrutiny as the terms of publishing the register was questioned.

    Source: 3 News

  • Ayawaso West Wuogon: Electorates threaten to boycott election over late start of polls

    Some electorates in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency have threatened to forfeit their rights to vote if the electoral process delays any further.

    Voting has delayed at some polling centres in some constituencies across the country following the late arrival of voting materials.

    The voting process at the Association International School polling Station A and B in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency have stalled as voting materials arrived late.

    The process which was expected to commence at 7:00 am had still not started at 7:40 am due to the delay.

    The presiding officer at the polling station has, however, not given communication regarding the delay and the way forward.

    Electorates at the commonwealth hall polling station have also expressed frustration at the late start in the voting exercise. However, they are bent on voting should the set-up delay further.

    Source: universnewsroom.com

  • Businesses pace up and down in lorry terminals ahead of Election 2020

    Businesses are pacing up and down at different lorry terminals, possibly as a result of the upcoming December 7, polls, the Ghana News Agency has gathered.

    The Agency on Saturday visited a number of Lorry terminals to observe the numbers that were travelling before Ghanaians cast their ballots on Monday, December 7, 2020.

    At the VIP Lorry Terminal, at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, the Agency observed a crowded scene where passengers were worriedly and tiredly in queues awaiting a chance to get on board to their destinations.

    As at the 19:00 hours on Saturday evening, there were hundreds of passengers spotted joining queues personally or with their luggage just to find places to sit to rest, after being drained of all hope that the next car was going to be available soon.

    A staff who agreed to talk to the GNA at the VIP Lorry Terminal, as an anonymous worker, said the situation was usually like that every Friday, hence they could not tell whether the upcoming election had had any impact on the non-availability of cars or the multiplying number of passengers that were trooping in.

    He said usually over 200 vehicles packed on the lorry terminal, however, as at the 1930 hours of Saturday, more than 140 cars had set off to varied destinations.

    The Agency observed that passengers had queued awaiting the chance to buy tickets at varied stations of the terminal including that of Kumasi, Dormaa, Sampa, Berekum, Wenchi, Enchi, Sunyani and Bolga among others.

    The situation at the STC Lorry Terminal, was no different, even though was a bit relaxed, as passengers were seen seated and awaiting a bus to purchase their tickets and get on board.

    Mr Paul Siaw, a Ticket Seller, at the Ho station, Accra, on the other hand, said business had declined from the early hours of Friday December 4, 2020 to Saturday. As at the 17:40 hours, he said the station that usually had registered about six or seven cars to move daily from Accra to Ho, was yet to get the third full minibus of passengers to set off.

    He confidently, said political parties hired buses to convey their supporters to other regions to vote in the December 7 polls, a situation he believed reduced the usual sales they made over the weekends.

    Mr Yaw Simpson, the Assistant Station Master of the Koforidua Station, in Accra Tema station, said for his part, business had boomed by 100 per cent from the beginning of the weekend.

    He said on an average day, the station made sales with about 20 cars, however, as at the 1800 hours of Saturday December 5, 2020, 40 cars had already set off to Koforidua.

    In an interaction with some of the passengers, Mr Appiah Gyamfi, who was traveling to Kumasi at the VIP station, said he deliberately registered to cast his ballot in Kumasi, so he could join his family there to make merry when his party won the election, hence the reason for joining a queue on Saturday evening.

    Mrs Mabel Enyonam Mensah, a passenger on an Accra-Ho bus, said she also registered deliberately at Ho to get an opportunity to reunite with her family and vote as well, as her work in Accra barely gave her time to travel to her hometown.

    Source: GNA

  • Factcheck: Has Chairman Wontumi been arrested with ballot papers in a hideout?

    Claim:

    The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Mr. Bernard Antwi Bosiako known in the political circles as Chairman Wontumi has been arrested by the police for secretly printing ballot papers ahead of the December 7 elections.

    According to multiple reports by a section of the media and some social media posts cited by GhanaWeb, Chairman Wontumi who was in the company of the former Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency, Mr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu were arrested with ballot papers in a hideout.

    Verdict: FALSE

    Explanation:

    With just a day left for Ghanaians to go to the polls, it was widely speculated in the media space and most especially on social media that Chairman Wontumi and Kokofu have been arrested by the police.

    According to the report, the two big wigs in the New Patriotic Party were picked up by the police in the early hours of Saturday, December, 5 at a secret hideout, printing ballot boxes.

    One of the social media posts cited by GhanaWeb which also sort to report this news said” Chairman Wontumi and Kokofu arrested with ballot papers in a hideout. See how evil Npp is… Thanks to the Vigilance of our party folks.”They are going down!

    Verification

    In an attempt to find closure to this, GhanaWeb Factcheck Desk resorted to a report released by Fact Check Ghana on the purported arrest of Chairman Wontumi and Mr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu.

    According to Fact Check Ghana, the video that has surfaced on various social media platforms purporting to the arrest of the aforementioned and commentaries that people are thumb printing ballot papers ahead of Monday’s elections is from 2016 and is nowhere related to the 2020 elections.

    “This video has resurfaced on WhatsApp platforms with some commentaries that people are thumb printing ballot papers ahead of Monday’s elections. The video is from 2016 and not related to the 2020 elections.”

    Fact Check Ghana added that” The then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi) had reported to the police that he had information that thousands of thumb printed presidential ballot papers had been hidden at the said hotel. “

    The complaint from Chairman Wontumi in 2016 led to the arrest of the said perpetrators by the Police.

    “Following that, the police mobilized and stormed the hotel around 7 am on Monday, December 5, 2016, according to Graphic Online. “

    Conclusion:

    From this, Ghana Factcheck Desk can establish that the purported arrest of MR. Bernard Antwi Bosiako and Mr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu for secretly printing ballot papers are false and should be treated with the contempt it deserves.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • CePTOM engages 2,500 officials for 2020 elections

    Ato Bonful, Programmes Director, Centre for Performance Tracking and Outcomes Mapping (CePTOM), on Thursday said the Centre has engaged 2,500 accredited officials to observe the general elections across the country.

    He said these officials would be in all 16 Regions at 100 constituencies in line with global best practices.

    Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Mr Bonful said the 2020 elections would arguably witness the highest number of independent election observers both local and international because of the times.

    “The 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Ghana are being held at a time of heightened tensions and new protocols including mandatory biometric verification for all voters whilst simultaneously adhering to Covid-19 protocols,” he said.

    Speaking on the topic: “Towards transparent and credible elections in Ghana 2020: the role of CePTOM in ensuring free, fair and incident-free elections,” he said CePTOM would examine whether the system performed and delivered what it was intended to achieve.

    However, he said there was no group currently monitoring the performance of the election management system and the electoral processes towards their intended outcomes.

    Mr Bonful said the Centre since 2011 had focused mostly on tracking performance and mapping outcomes of systems and processes to ensure attainment of intended outcomes.

    He said the centre had examined the entire election process in project management mode by looking at factors, including the EC and their systems and processes in the entire election process from the over 38,000 polling stations to the District and Regional offices as well as the national collation centre of the EC.

    Also, the effectiveness of the technological tools, adherence to the legal provisions of Constitutional Instrument 127, and the ability of the officers to effectively manage the voting centres and Political Parties and their adherence to the rules and their roles in ensuring free, fair and incident-free elections.

    He said the Centre would also observe comportment of electorates, how long they would take to go through the process, turn out and adherence to COVID-19 Protocols.

    “We will observe whether voters in rural areas who are unable to afford a face mask will be assisted with a free one or be turned away,” he said. He said the centre would examine how all the protocols will be enforced by the COVID-19 Ambassadors stationed by the EC to apply lessons learnt in future elections.

    Source: GNA

  • IHRC to observe Ghana elections

    The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Ghana has been accredited by the Electoral Commission of Ghana to observe the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

    In all about 160 graduate volunteers were recruited from all the 16 regions in Ghana for the exercise. According to Prof. Michael Kwateng, the IHRC is satisfied with the processes and procedures laid down by the Commission so far. He commended the Chairperson of the Commission, Mrs. Jean Mensa for various initiatives implemented.

    He urged the commission to continue to be fair in dealing with all stakeholders, especially the political parties so that at the end of the elections the results will be accepted by all to avoid tension and continue to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere in the country.

    He revealed that IHRC participation in this election is to ensure that the process is transparent, fair and credible enough to avoid misunderstanding and conflict among political parties and other stakeholders. He again advised all Ghanaians to be law abiding and support EC to deliver a good job.

    Source: Ghana Celebrities

  • 2020 Elections: Be transparent CPPE to EC

    The Coalition of Professionals for Peaceful Elections (CPPE) has asked the Electoral Commission of Ghana to be transparent in the upcoming elections on December 7

    A statement signed by Claudia Lumor, Founder, Glitz Africa & UNFPA Ambassador, Ghana, and two other members of CPPE said, as Ghana heads to the polls on Monday “we the CPPE call on all Ghanaians, young and old to act in accordance with the laws of Ghana whilst we exercise our democratic right to periodically choose our leaders.”

    The statement explained that elections provide us with the platform to freely express our political will, as the sovereignty of our homeland Ghana resides in us, “in whose name and for whose welfare the powers of government are to be exercised” as we are told in the first clause of the first article of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    “We therefore commend the Electoral Commission for all the work it has done in preparation for the upcoming elections, and for the transparency and professionalism that has epitomized and characterized its work in the past few months, and was further exhibited during the special voting exercise this week.
    “We however urge the Electoral Commission to demonstrate this same transparency and professionalism in the conduct of the elections on Monday 7th December 2020, so as to entrench our democracy and repay the confidence we have reposed in them as an independent State institution.

    “We also commend the security agencies for their consistent commitment to safeguarding our nascent democracy in our Fourth Republic, and urge them to be vigilant before, during and after the elections in order to maintain the peace and stability we are presently enjoying.

    “Finally, we call on all political parties in Ghana to deliver their closing arguments to the good people of Ghana this week, in a peaceful, professional and respectful manner, devoid of fake news, misinformation and disinformation, insults and/or name-calling, and further urge them to cooperate with the Electoral Commission and the security agencies to make the elections a resounding success, where Ghana will be the ultimate winner.”

    CPPE is an association of young Ghanaian professionals from all walks of life, dedicated to ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections in Ghana in 2020 and beyond. It is made up of Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Budu, Lawyer & Law Lecturer (Convener, CPPE); Claudia Lumor, Founder, Glitz Africa & UNFPA Ambassador, Ghana (Programmes Coordinator, CPPE); Mr. Andrew Khartey, Lawyer (Press Secretary, CPPE).

    Source: 3 News

  • Election 2020: Go home after voting – IGP cautions Ghanaians

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh has advised electorates not to loiter around the polling stations during the December 7 polls.

    In an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” programme, the IGP stated that every Ghanaian who goes to cast his or her vote should immediately return home after exercising their franchise.

    According to him, the security agencies have been charged to ensure peace at the various polling stations, hence they will not deal lightly with any person who attempts to cause mayhem.

    “No one else is allowed. When you finish voting, go home and you can return when the counting of the ballots commences. But for you to be at the polling station to impede the security personnel, that will be obstructing the duties of the Police and the other security agencies, and that in itself is an offence that we can arrest and prosecute you in the court,” he stated.

    He also warned political party members and supporters not to obstruct the duties of the security personnel.

    “Providing security for the elections is the responsibility of the security agencies. So, we don’t expect any other person will go to the polling stations that he or she is there to secure the elections. We don’t need party security at the polling station. Every party has its observers and polling agents and they’re the only people we recognize as agents that the law permits them to come to the polling stations.”

    Source: Peace FM

  • Akyem Ayirebi Chiefs and elders declare support for Mahama

    The chiefs and elders of Ayirebi in the Ofoase Ayirebi constituency of the Eastern Region on Wednesday declared their support for the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr John Dramani Mahama, ahead of the December 7, 2020, general elections.

    Speaking on behalf of the chiefs during a visit by Mr Mahama, Okyeame Oman-Boadi said the support of the chiefs and elders of Akyem Ayirebi for the NDC presidential candidate is non-negotiable.

    Okyeame Oman-Boadi said the government has failed to develop their area, adding all the development projects in the Ayirebi area, including electricity, Senior High School block, clinic and potable water were all initiated by the NDC government.

    “If the NDC has been able to do all these for Ayirebi and its environs, why can’t we give them our votes? So we are assuring Mr Mahama that the people of Ofoase Ayirebi are ready to give him our votes and also support his parliamentary candidate,” Okyeame Oman-Baodi declared.

    He appealed to Mr Mahama to create a new district for Ayirebi and urged him to upgrade their clinic to a district hospital status when he is elected on December 7, 2020.

    Source: James Agyenim-Boateng, NDC Campaign Spokesperson

  • Police beefs up security to protect ballot boxes at Adaklu

    The Ho Police Command is beefing security at the Waya Police Post to safeguard the ballot boxes used in Monday’s special voting exercise.

    Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Alex Yeboah, acting Ho Municipal Police Commander, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency, in an interview in Ho, said the decision followed the tension brewing from the disagreement among some political actors in the Adaklu District over the safekeeping of the ballot boxes.

    Supporters of the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress are said to disagree on whether the boxes should remain at the present location or be moved to Ho.

    ASP Yeboah explained that the Ho Command continued to superintend over the Adaklu Command, which only had two police posts – at Waya and Ahunda – and lacked the capacity to adequately protect the ballot boxes.

    However, he said, one of the political parties objected to plans to move the boxes to the Ho Armoury for safekeeping, claiming that it would raise party youth to support the Police to protect the ballot, which is under seal.

    This development has resulted in some youth massing up at the Waya Police Post to prevent the relocation of the boxes.

    Mr Yeboah said since the issue could not be resolved by the close of Wednesday, he was leading a Police reinforcement to the Waya Police Post, where the ballots were being kept until Thursday when an agreement was expected to be reached between the parties.

    He explained that Police Armouries were the designated places for the safekeeping of these voting materials over the period, saying if the parties would understand this issue, the dispute could be addressed amicably.

    He said since the political parties had counter sealed the ballot boxes with peculiar serial numbers that they had recorded, the suspicion could have been be avoided.

    The parties, he said, should believe in the Police to protect lives and property at all times.

    Source: GNA

  • Dont be intimidated by NPP Nii Lante Vanderpuye to NDC supporters

    The Member of Parliament for Odododiodio Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has asked all supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to be intimidated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the elections next week.

    Speaking at a mini-rally in the constituency, the parliamentary candidate for the area urged all NDC supporters to go out there vote for him and the presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama.

    “Nobody should be scared of anyone, no matter the level of threats. Peacefully go and cast your votes in a manner that glorifies God,” he said.

    He added, “Nobody should be intimidated because people many claims there will be trouble on Election Day”.

    Ghanaians go to the polls on Monday, December 7 to elect a president and Members of Parliament.

    Source: 3 News

  • We rest not until Nana Addo is declared president on December 7 – Three Northerners group

    A Group by name Three Northerners, which was created by northerners who are based in the southern part of the country ( Kumasi, Accra, Cape Coast, Takoradi et al) has made a strong case for the retainment of the Nana Addo led administration.

    The group which is made up of members from over 17 northern dialects have come together to campaign for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to retain power for the good people of the Northern Region

    Earlier today the group held a conference at Kumasi to voice out how former President John Mahama disappointed Northerners.

    Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Ismail Azuma popularly known as Y2K who doubles as Vice Chairman and Operations Manager of the group explained why the NPP should be given another four years.

    “We came all the way from Kumasi and Accra to campaign for NPP to retain power, we want our people from the North to know how the current President is bringing about progress and development in the Northern part of the country,” he said.

    “We voted former President Mahama to come to power because we knew that coming from the north he was best placed to understand our problems and challenges. But upon his coming to power nothing was done to address our problems.

    We are telling the former president to forgive us, is not about him been our brother but is about who can help develop the northern part of the country for us .”He opined.

    Mr Ismail added that as a group they were going all over the country to campaign for the NPP especially in Bawku, Wa, Tamale, for a house-to-house campaign and indeed were really grateful to His Excellency Nana Addo for initiating the free SHS, NABCO amongst others.

    Source: Abdul Basit Yakub Ouedraogo, Contributor

  • Vote massively for NDC Naana Jane to Asikuma residents

    The National Democratic Congress(NDC) Running Mate Prof. Jaane Naana Opoku Agyeman has advised residents of Asikuma Odoben Brakwa Constituency to take monies being shared by the ruling New Patriotic Party but vote against them massively in the December 7th General Election.

    “As we are heading towards the December Elections, you will receive numerous gift from the NPP being it Flat Screen TV, Fridge, Gas Cylinder, but it is only for you to vote wisely in order for us to come out from the hardship NPP inflicted on us by the NPP government. We are going the poll next week Monday and I am entreating everybody to vote massively for the NDC party to come to power and put Ghana on the right track of development,” she said while addressing market women at Breman Ahwien.

    Prof. Naana Opoku Agyeman made these pronouncements during her wrap up Campaign tour in the Central Region at Breman Ahwien in the Asikuma Odoben Brakwa Constituency.

    Meanwhile, Ghana goes to the polls on December 7 to elect a President and 275 Parliamentarians to govern the country for the next four years.

    Source: Kasapa FM

  • Disagreement over food nearly disrupts special voting at Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro

    The special voting process that started smoothly on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro in the Greater Accra Region was almost disrupted due to a misunderstanding over food.

    According to a Citi News report, confusion broke out at the main polling station for the special voting in the area when supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) clashed with suspected New Patriotic Party (NPP) members within the voting centre who had been distributing food to party agents.

    The NDC supporters refused to allow the suspected NPP supporters to distribute the food over fears that may influence party agents and election officials who may also receive the food.

    Parliamentary candidate of the NPP for the constituency, Sylvester Tetteh, told Citi News that the NDC supporters were agitated over a non-issue.

    “We have breakfast, lunch, and snack for our agents. Because it is a special voting day, some executives were lending support to our agents there and some of them were also observing the process for the first time. So when you are taking breakfast to your people obviously you will not take for two or four people.

    “Our agents are allowed to be fed at the premises. I have seen instances where you take a drink to the polling centre, an NDC agent will take it. It does not influence the vote,” Citi News quoted him in a report.

    The NDC supporters, on the other hand, say the distribution of the food items could pose a major problem during the main elections on December 7, 2020.

    NDC parliamentary candidate for the area, Alexander Ackuaku, urged the Electoral Commission to take steps to prevent a recurrence of the confusion.

    “We need to stamp our authority. It should not be left in the hands of the opposition to be challenging some of these things. It is not the best. People should be bold enough and let people know that the peace of this nation is paramount enough. We should not entertain some of these things. It is not the best,” he stressed.

    A total of 109,577 persons are expected to vote in the special voting exercise for media personnel, EC officials, and other groups of people who may not be able to cast their ballots on December 7.

    The EC has said it expects a 100% turnout of voters during the special voting exercise.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Missing names mar special voting exercise in Kumasi


    The ongoing special voting exercise in Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti region, has been characterised by an episode of missing names in the register.

    Security personnel, media personnel, officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) and other essential workers, who will be playing a key role on December 7 are taking part in the exercise.

    In the Ashanti region, 17,000 people are expected to take part in the exercise which commenced at 7:00 am and will be closing at 5:00 pm.

    Across the country, 109,577 people are supposed to be casting their ballot today ahead of the general elections in a week’s time.

    The exercise is being held in 48 centers across the 47 constituencies in the region which has the second highest population in this year’s voter’s register.

    Apart from the Subin constituency which has two centres, the remaining constituencies have a centre each.

    If not for the reported cases of missing names on the register, the exercise has been generally peaceful as at the time this report was being filed.

    At the Kwadaso Methodist school which housed the centre for Kwadaso constituency, a whopping 20 security officers who turned up to cast their votes could not locate their names on the list.

    A similar incident was reported at the Patasi Police Training School in the Nhyieaso constituency.

    At the Central Police Station in the Subin constituency, the story was not different as some officers names were missing from the electoral roll.

    Though the officers whose names were missing expressed disappointment over the development, they did not create any unacceptable scene at the places they went.

    Meanwhile, the affected people have been assured by EC officials in Kumasi that they would be able to exercise their franchise on the main election day.

    However, the registrants who were lucky to have their names on the register exercised their civic responsibility in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity in all the centres visited.

    Importantly, at all the centres visited, the various covid-19 safety protocols were being observed strictly.

    This included the washing of hands with soap under running water, usage of sanity, social distancing and the checking of temperature.

    Polling agents of the various political parties, especially the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were present at the centres to discharge their assigned duties.

    Security was also tight in all the centres to ensure that the exercise went on smoothly without any hitch.

    Parliamentary candidates of the various parties and their team were also seen moving round the centres to monitor the exercise.

    Leadership of the major political parties were not left out, as they were also seen visiting the centres to observe the polls.

    One interesting development which has gained attention in the metropolis is the display of the cast ballot by some officers on social media, particularly Facebook.

    Some officers took a picture of the ballot paper after the cast and displayed them on Facebook.

    Whilst, some captured a vote for President Akufo Addo, others showed a vote for ex-President Mahama.

    The spectacle has already initiated a heated debate on social media between the NPP and NDC followers as to who is likely to win the special voting exercise.

    Pictures above are some scenes from the voting centres in Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti region.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • ‘Ghetto’ Youth to collaborate with police to flush out criminals

    The Ghetto Youth Association of Ghana has pledged to partner the Ghana Police Service to flush out criminals who hide in the slums (ghettos) to perpetrate crimes.

    According to the Association, because of such persons, the police constantly conduct swoops in the slums, arresting law-abiding people in the process, a situation they said was worrying therefore their resolve to partner the Police to identify such criminals.

    Mr Abdul Rahman Suleman, Leader of the Community One Ghetto, addressing a press conference in Tema, said they decided to form the Association to be the eyes and ears of the Police.

    Mr Suleman also added that it was their aim to also ensure a peaceful election by engaging and sensitizing its members against being used to perpetrate violent acts and electoral fraud before, during and after the December 7 elections.

    Mr Paul Appiah, Secretary to the Association, said successive governments had not given enough attention to the development of the slums and its inhabitants, stating that they had rather become ostracized and stigmatized.

    Mr Appiah added that over the years, slum dwellers had been tagged as notorious and therefore an easy target for arrest by the police whenever there were wrongdoings in society.

    He said, “we have had prominent men and women, career and professionals such as lawyers, doctors, accountants, lecturers, politicians, PhD holders, etc all growing up from these ghettos or hoods.”

    Mr Prince Obeng, Greater Accra Regional Organizer, New Patriotic Party, who graced the programme, assured the Association that the issues raised by them would be addressed to enable them to become partners of development.

    He agreed that there were lots of talents in the ghettos which he said when harnessed well, would help the country to have more influential persons from those areas such as Shatta Wale, and Stonebwoy.

    Mr Obeng disclosed that a Ghetto Youth Forum would be organized to help discuss and address the issues of Tema slums in detail.

    Source: GNA

  • Present accurate figures and facts – EC to journalists

    Chairperson of Electoral Commission Jean Mensa has charged the media to report truthful facts and figures of outcomes of the 2020 polls to minimise unnecessary political tensions.

    According to Ms Mensa, her office will frequently engage citizens in a transparent manner via the media to enable citizens to observe and monitor the electoral process to reduce political tensions and anxiety.

    Speaking at a workshop on election reporting organised by the election management body in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association in Accra on Tuesday, 24 November 2020, Ms Mensa said: “The media should scale up the rate at which it reports fairly and allow adequate space for the EC to air its views on emerging issues”.

    “All we need is for the media to provide fair and objective coverage, present facts and figures to citizens, be truthful and fair in your reportage. Let us choose the path of peace because the world is watching Ghana,” she said.

    Ms Mensa also expressed the EC’s commitment to ensure transparency and accountability in the conduct of the electoral process.

    “We’re training persons with disabilities, journalists across the country, let the citizens know press briefings, provision of gender statistics of voters and prompt response to emerging issues. These show our transparency and our drive to demonstrate commitment,” she stated.

    The EC boss also expressed confidence that the designed IT system for conducting the 2020 election is robust.

    According to her, political parties are involved in the monitoring of the printing process to clear any doubt in the minds of the 12 contending parties.

    She also revealed that the EC has not been able to register Ghanaians living abroad due to COVID-19 restrictions.

    Ghana’s Apex Court ordered the EC to implement the Representation of People’s Amendment Law after private citizens dragged the electoral management body to the Supreme Court over the matter. But, according to Ms Mensa, registration of Ghanaians outside the shores of Ghana can be done in future but not for the 2020 polls.

    For his part, the President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) Affail Monney charged the media to scale up accurate reportage and eschew fake news in the build-up to 2020 polls.

    Source: 3 News

  • Election 2020: Strict coronavirus protocols will be observed – EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) in adherence to the World Health Organisation and Ghana Health Service preventive measures has designed “Strict Election Day COVID-19 Protocols Observation,” guidelines for all who enter the Polling Station.

    Mr Kwame Amoah, EC Greater Accra Regional Director told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra on Monday that the EC had put in place COVID-19 pandemic safety measures and called on all to strictly follow the due process at the Polling Stations to protect each other from contracting the disease.

    He said all persons entering any polling station or queuing must strictly wear face mask; “Thermometer gun will be used to check the temperature of prospective voters and anyone whose temperature is detected to be high above 37.8 Degree Celsius will be directed to available health personnel at the polling station or nearest public health facility”.

    Mr Amoah who was speaking to the GNA on the EC Election 2020 Guide to Voter manual explained that veronica bucket with liquid soap, paper tissue and other receptacles for people to wash their hands before joining the queue would be provided at strategic locations.

    He said the Presiding Officer and the security will ensure that minimum distance of one meter between applicants in the queue are observed strictly at the polling station; “we need the public cooperation and preparedness to follow due process”.

    The EC Director said the finger print scanners would be frequently cleaned before and after capturing finger print of voters with either alcohol-based wipes, disinfectant wipes or ammonia-based glass cleaner wipes.

    Mr Amoah assured the voters, that the commission would provide hand sanitizers for applicants to sanitize their hands when leaving the polling station.

    He said, “the EC has put in place measures to ensure that no one is endangered at the Polling Station, we must all work together for our safety, let us protect each other, COVID-19 is still around, so let is adhere to the safety protocols”.

    Source: GNA

  • Bawumia commissions 60-bed hospital in Tolon

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned the Tolon District Hospital as part of my three-day tour of the Northern Region.

    The 60-Bed Ultra-Modern Hospital for the Tolon District is one of the six medical facilities which begun three years ago.

    The other facilities are the 80 Bed Hospital at Somanya in the Eastern Region; 80 Bed District Hospital at Buipe in the Savannah Region; 60 Bed Hospital at Wheta in the Volta Region; 60 Bed Hospital at Sawla in the Savannah Region and a 30 Bed Polyclinic at Bamboi in the Savannah Region.

    The Tolon hospital has several departments including the Outpatient and Emergency Department, Inpatient Wards for males, female and paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology (Maternity and Child Health), Surgery including an Intensive Care Unit, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy Diagnostic Services including X-ray, Laboratory, and ultrasound, and a Mortuary.

    Commissioning the facility, the Vice President said the interventions made by the government in the health sector have been timely, particularly on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “We would have succumbed to the devastating effect of the outbreak of the Corona Virus pandemic but for skilful management of the pandemic by the Ghana Health Service and the health workers,” he added.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Christian Council declares week-long fasting and prayer towards Election 2020

    The Christian Council of Ghana has proposed and declared week-long nondenominational fasting and prayer for peace for the nation before, during, and after the 2020 General Election.

    The exercise is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, November 25 to Sunday, November 29, 2020, in churches across the country under the theme: “Seek Peace and Pursue It” taken from the Bible verse, (1Peter 3:11).

    A statement signed by Reverend Dr. Cyril G. K. Fayose, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, explained that all Christians were expected to gather at the Perez Dome, Dzorwulu, for a peace rally.

    Christians in the other regions were also entreated to gather at a church auditorium in their respective regions to do the same.

    The statement said the day would be used to proclaim peace for the nation, while flagbearers are called upon to affirm their commitment to peaceful elections.

    Source: GNA

  • Preach peace on the pulpit – Adaklu MP urges clergy

    Kwame Agbodza, Member of Parliament for Adaklu Constituency, has called on the clergy to use the pulpit to preach peace.

    “We need peace, nothing but peace before, during and after the elections which the clergy should use the pulpit to preach,” he said.

    Mr. Agbodza made the call at a peace programme organised by the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church at Adaklu Ahunda in the Adaklu district aimed at forging peace among political actors in the constituency.

    Mr Agbodza said he would work closely with all stakeholders to guard the peace being enjoyed in the district.

    He called on supporters of the various political parties to refrain from acts that could undermine peace.

    Mr Agbodza urged the electorate not to be lured by the promises by the New Patriotic Party, but critically examine the track record of the National Democratic Congress and give them their mandate.

    The MP reiterated his unwavering resolve to continue working hard to bring the needed development to the Constituency.
    GNA.

    Source: GNA

  • Ballot papers with alleged duplicate serial numbers detected in Koforidua

    Political parties and Electoral Commission officials in Koforidua have chanced upon some ballot papers with duplicate serial numbers while sorting out electoral materials.

    These errors, according to them, were detected in both presidential and parliamentary ballot papers for Akuapem South Constituency in the Eastern Region on Sunday, November 22, 2020.

    “For the ballot papers in the presidential booklets, we noticed that instead of 142 pieces of the booklets, we had 141 booklets which means there is a shortage by one. On the other hand, 50 of the booklets had duplicate serial numbers on the ballot papers. With the Parliamentary, there was a shortage of one booklet with two duplicate booklets with same serial numbers on ballot papers,” Prince Etornam the Akuapem South Constituency Secretary of the NDC told Starr News.

    Reacting to the issue, Director of elections for the NDC in Eastern Region Baba Jamal Konney said the party will ensure that the duplicate ballot papers are kept in Police custody to avoid been tempered with.

    “We are done with sorting, all the Constituency booklets have been kept at the Police armory at the Police Headquarters in Koforidua. Every political party has put its seal on the bags, on November 30th we will come and pick the special voting booklets and conduct the Special Voting then afterward we come for the main booklets and check whether the seals and everything is okay. Including all the errors we detected,” he stated.

    The Eastern Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, (NPP) Jeff Konadu on the other hand failed to comment on the development though approached twice.

    The sorting exercise was monitored by BNI, Police and Election Observers from the European Union (EU).

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • I am seeking re-election based on my records President

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said his decision to seek re-election in the upcoming general elections was because it was evident that he had fulfilled his promises.

    The President said the 2020 elections was different from the last election held since he was a new entrant into the Presidential race and had not been in the realm of affairs although he had been in a government which was not his.

    President Akufo-Addo said this when he addressed traditional, religious and Party faithful during the Campaign and Manifesto Launch of Mr John-Peter Amewu, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for the Hohoe Constituency.

    “I cannot come to you just for promises, I have to come to you on my records. What I have done in these four years as President of the Republic.”

    He said the question Ghanaians had to ask themselves was “have I remained faithful to you and stood by my commitments to you? And if so that I have done these, then you can look upon me as a man of integrity.”

    “You can look upon me as a man who keeps his words, a man who fulfils his promises, you can continue to trust me that the next four years is even going to be better than what we have gone through.”

    President Akufo-Addo said “I will not make any commitments to you that I cannot fulfil. I will never do that to the people of Ghana.”

    Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, noted that the “Volta Region has a soft spot from the President” who was willing to do more for the Region if retained in power.

    He said it was time, the narrative for voting for the same Party changed to ensure enough developments of the Region and the nation since the Region had gained a lot of benefits under the NPP government.

    Mr John-Peter Amewu, the Parliamentary Candidate called on the electorate to endorse his candidature and that of President Akufo-Addo on December 7 for more development and transformation of lives of women, the youth and children.

    “Politics is solely about development. There should be a benefit from the Party which you belonged to and it was wrong to belong to a political party that does not benefit you, your parents and children.”

    Mr Pius Enam Hadzide, Deputy Minister of Information, said the President had justified his first mandate given him in 2016 and it was only appropriate that he be given another term to continue the development projects in the country.

    “On December 7, when you get to the ballot box, vote for President Akufo-Addo on number one and when you are done, pick the Parliamentary form and vote for Mr John-Peter Amewu.”

    Source: GNA

  • Punish police officers who threatened civilians in viral video – Mahama demands

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has chided the Police Administration over their failure to sanction some police officers who were captured in a viral video cautioning Ghanaians against any acts of violence on election day.

    In the viral video, an armed police officer was seen asking voters to go home after they cast their ballot on December 7, 2020.

    The police officer who was in a brown uniform and headgear said the election was not about violence hence Ghanaians should not engage in violence otherwise the police will deal with them ruthlessly.

    Speaking in twi, the officer said: “The election is not about violence. If you finish voting on election day, go home. Do not engage in violence because if you do, the police are prepared to deal ruthlessly with you”.

    Reacting to this, the former president described this as a threat and indiscipline.

    According to him, the officers who were seen in the video must be sanctioned because they acted unprofessionally.

    He opined that the service has lost its trust and professionalism because the ruling government has recruited its vigilante groups into the service.

    The police after the video went viral admitted that the officers in the video are trained.

    In a statement issued to announce the official uniforms for Election Day, the police said: “the persons seen in the video are sworn officers of the Ghana Police Service, who were engaged in special operations of a route march in the Upper East region. The brown uniform and headgear worn by some of them are training apparel.

    In view of public enquiries on police uniforms, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh has directed that Police Officers performing Election 2020 duties should wear the traditional police uniforms which are in the colours of blue-black, black and police camouflage.”

    Mr. Mahama reacting to this raised concerns over the production of the uniforms and the companies behind them.

    He was worried there has been a lack of transparency in this regard and asked the police service to be transparent with Ghanaians.

    Meanwhile, he has expressed fear the governing NPP will recruit some vigilante persons into the security services for their agenda.

    He asserted in an interview on CTV on Sunday, November 22, 2020, the service must not allow the government to use them for their selfish interest.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Election 2020: Independent candidates likely to perform better in 3 regions of the north Study

    A study by iRIS Research Group has revealed that independent presidential and parliamentary candidates are more likely to do well in the three regions of the north in the upcoming elections on December 7.

    The study was conducted by examining the performance of third-party presidential aspirants and independent parliamentary candidates in Ghana using historical elections data from 1996 to 2016.

    “Both third-party presidential and parliamentary candidates are more likely to perform better in the three Northern Regions than other parts of the country,” the Accra-based research firm states.

    The study also found that the performance of third-party presidential candidates has been on the decline over the past six electoral cycles.

    “Trendline analysis indicates third parties have been dropping an average of 31,000 votes per election from a base of about 365,000 votes since 1996,” the study added.

    Also, the researchers at the iRIS Research Group say third parties need to gain a minimum combined vote share of more than 3% to have a chance at influencing presidential elections, sending it into a second round.

    “The likelihood of a presidential election going into a run-off or an incumbent losing depends on the combined impact of whether the incumbent or challenger is a new candidate; the incumbent or challenger is popular or charismatic; and if there is a popular third-party candidate,” the study noted.

    Source: Ghana Celebrities

  • Reward Akufo-Addo for creating Oti and Nchumuru Council – Oti NPP Chairman

    Mr Evans Yaw Dapaa, Oti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has charged the chiefs and people of Bejamse in the Krachi Nchumuru Constituency of the Region, to throw their support behind President Nana Akufo-Addo as a sign of appreciation in the creation of the Nchumuru Traditional Council.

    Mr Dapaa addressing the Constituency, said that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo‘s fulfilment of his promise to create a traditional council for Nchumuruman, and other numerous development projects initiated by the current government in the area, should spur on the people to vote massively for the NPP.

    He said it would be a sign of ungratefulness on their part not to vote for the NPP in the upcoming elections.

    He said this during his campaign tour of the Krachi Nchumuru Constituency and urged the residents to vote for Mr Innocent Kakateche Tache, who is Parliamentary Candidate of the New Patriotic Party in the Krachi Nchumuru Constituency.

    Some of the communities visited were: Borae No2, Anyinamae, Boafri, Ngbanye, Malla, Onando, Eke, Bakam and Ayigbe Akura.

    Mr Joshua Makubu, Oti Regional Secretary for the New Patriotic Party said, the Council would strengthen their position as chiefs to discharge their customary and traditional rites as an autonomous body without hindrance and that would go a long way to help them develop their area.

    He elaborated numerous government projects and policies for the Constituency such as, “One-District, One-Warehouse, which were completed, fully furnished District Assembly Administration, ongoing construction of One-Village, One-Dam at Banda and Planting for Food and Jobs.

    The youth and party supporters expressed their commendation to President Akufo-Addo for elevating the traditional council.

    The youth wings told the GNA the numerous development projects that were underway and completed in the Constituency unprecedented and assured to vote massively to re-elect President Akufo-Addo and the NPP government.

    The Regional Chairman was accompanied by, Madam Olivia Aglago (Regional Women Organizer), Mr Fidelis Boateng (Regional Deputy Organizer), Mr Jonathan Akpabe (Regional Research Officer), Mr Seidu Musah (Regional Director of Communication) and Mr Joshua Makubum (Regional Secretary).

    Source: GNA

  • Businessman sues Gomoa East NDC parliamentary candidate

    A businessman, Akwasi Adjetey, has filed a suit at an Accra High Court against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Gomoa East, Desmond Degraft Paitoo, demanding an amount of GH?498,815.85, from the politician for allegedly destroying his business.

    In his statement of claim, Adjetey, an export and import businessman who deals in biscuits contends that he engaged the NDC parliamentary candidate who is a clearing agent to clear his 21 containers of biscuits he had imported from India at the Tema Port in 2014.

    According to him, after engaging Paitoo (Defendant) over how much to pay for the clearing of the 21 containers, they settled on an amount of GH?625,500.00, the said amount of which was paid into the personal Cal Bank, Okaishie branch, account number 131018030419 of the NDC parliamentary candidate for Gomoa East by instalments.

    Adjetey further noted that as of April 23, 2015, he had paid a total amount of GH?625,500.00 into the personal account of Paitoo for the clearance of the said 21 containers.

    However, the business did not go on as agreed, with Paitoo clearing only 18 containers at a cost of GH?520,884.14 and leaving the remaining three also at a cost of GH?104,615.89 unattended to.

    To Adjetey, for almost eight months, he used every means available to him to pursue Paitoo to clear the remaining three containers of biscuits but was unsuccessful.

    The remaining three containers which have not been cleared, according to Adjetey, attracted demurrage charges to his disadvantage and upon further demands from Paitoo to clear the goods, the NDC parliamentary candidate “reluctantly made a part payment of GH?64,000.00 out of the GH?104615.89 outstanding balance creating a false impression that he will pay the remaining amount of GH?40,000 in earnest so as for the three containers to be cleared”.

    Adjetey said the Defendant having paid the customs duties of GH?64,000.00, again failed to pay the remaining balance of GH?40,000.00 to the port authorities, compelling him to engage the services of another clearing agent to assist him in the clearing of the goods.

    He averred that in addition to the remaining amount of GH?40,000.00 he paid the second clearing agent, he further paid an amount of GH?140,000.00, which amount was for the payment of accumulated demurrage charges, rent and other statutory port charges before the said containers were cleared.

    Adjetey further narrates that when the second clearing agent cleared the said containers, it was discovered that the biscuits in the three containers had “gone bad and not appropriate for human consumption”.

    This informed his thoughts to further engage Paitoo “orally about the state of the said biscuits before same were destroyed”.

    “The conduct of Paitoo in the whole transaction has destroyed my business”, he noted in a telephone conversation with our reporter.

    Adjetey laments that he has an outstanding amount of GH?40,615.85 with Paitoo, an amount he is demanding after the politician failed to clear the said three containers.

    Further to that, he is also demanding an amount of US$79,000, equivalent to GH?458,200.00 being the cost of the biscuits in the three containers that were destroyed from Paitoo, having been paid the clearance fee but failed to do so.

    According to Adjetey, having informed Paitoo to pay him all his outstanding money as well as that of the cost of the destroyed biscuits, the NDC parliamentary candidate has failed to make any payment, alleging that he, Paitoo, is using his strong political connections to destroy his business.

    He said unless ordered by the Court, Paitoo will not pay him the said amount out of which GH?40,615.58 is an outstanding balance of the total amount of money the Plaintiff paid for the clearance of the 21 containers of biscuits and an amount of GH?458,200 being the cedi equivalent of US$79,000 being the total cost of the biscuits in the three containers that were destroyed because same went bad and unfit for human consumption.

    Source: Atinka Online

  • My husband has delivered, give him 4 more years First Lady

    First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has appealed to Ghanaians to vote for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the upcoming elections on December 7.

    She said the current Akufo-Addo-led government has not disappointed Ghanaians in the past three-and-a-half years in office by implementing a number of pro-poor policies and programmes to affect the lives of Ghanaians.

    To that end, she said, the party should be voted for again to enable it to consolidate the gains made as far as the economic management is concerned.

    Mrs Akufo-Addo was speaking to supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other Ghanaians when she visited the Odododiodio Constituency in the Greater Accra Region as part of her campaign.

    She also appealed to the electorate to vote for the parliamentary candidates on the ticket of the NPP in order to ensure an NPP majority in Parliament again.

    “I will appeal to you all to give the president four more years in office,” she said.

    Source: 3 News

  • MCE promises Asunsu community fair share of development projects

    Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Executive, Iddrissa Ouattara, has assured the chiefs and people of the Asunsu Number One Community in the Dormaa Central Municipality of their share of government’s development projects.

    He assured the community that government would not renege on its decision, efforts, mission, and commitment to provide social amenities such as good roads, schools, water supply, and hospitals to the people, majority of whom are farmers and classified under the essential category of workers, and whose socio-economic conditions needed to be enhanced.

    Mr Ouattara said this at an event to commemorate the Municipal Farmers Day Celebration held at Asunsu Number in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region.

    The MCE added that the Assembly was closely working with a contractor to construct the roads -Dormaa Kwaadaso roads, Asunsu Dwane, Ntaabene, reshaping of Kaaseman – Ahentrase roads as well as SDA, Brotherhood and Zongo – New Dormaa roads.

    He stated that the government’s policy interventions in the agriculture sector had led to an unprecedented and extraordinary increase in food production levels with the export of food surplus to countries like Togo, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

    Mr Ouattara emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring food security, the welfare of farmers and their families, and those within the food production value chain.

    The MCE said restrictions on movement following the outbreak of COVID-19 had an adverse effect on all sectors of the economy including farming activities, education, stressing farmers had difficulty in accessing ready markets for their farm produce.

    “Despite COVID-19 challenges, the government intervened to make loan advancements to cushion those businesses which were negatively affected as a result of the pandemic,” he added.

    He underscored the need to step up the cultivation of maize and soya beans in the area for the production of feed mill for the poultry birds.

    Mr Ouattara noted that the Assembly was also collaborating with the Seed Production Division of COCOBOD to nurture improved cashew seedlings in various communities of the area.

    Source: GNA

  • EC creates 5,000 more polling stations for 2020 elections

    The Electoral Commission has announced the creation of 5,000 more polling stations for the 2020 elections.

    The new additions have taken the number of polling stations to be used for the polls to 38,000.

    This was disclosed by the Director of Electoral Service, Dr Serebour Quarcoe in an interview with Citi News.

    He disclosed the purpose of the new polling stations is to reduce queuing and time-wasting at the various centres.

    He explained in detail how the new polling stations will operate.

    “We want to reduce the queuing at the polling stations so the Commission decided to put the threshold at 749 so any centre that is more than that is spilt. So, there are some centres that have been split into five. Some are four, three and two. The splitting has created about 5,000 plus centres. So, there are no new centres. The splitting is around the whole country but mostly in areas that are densely populated,” he indicated.

    The EC has already said that it is almost ready to deliver a free and credible election on December 7, 2020.

    The Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Mensa assured Parliament that her outfit is focused on delivering a successful election.

    “Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform you that the Electoral Commission is 95 per cent ready for the successful, credible, fair, orderly and peaceful conduct of the election on December 7, 2020”, she said.

    Jean Mensa also dispelled the notion that she does not have respect for the House.

    “It is important to emphasize that this is the first time I have been invited by the House in my capacity as the EC Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, I have on no occasion turned down an invitation from the Parliament of Ghana,” she said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Were confident biometric kits will function excellently on Election Day EC

    Electoral Commissioner, Jean Mensa, on Saturday, November 7, 2020, told parliamentarians that the 8,000 brand new Biometric Voters Registration kits bought for the registration exercise worked efficiently.

    Presenting the roadmap by the EC for the general elections, she said the efficiency of the kits resulted in the speedy and accurate capturing of the biometric details of 17,029,971.

    To her, the kits used for the registration exercise was an improvement from the previous kits used.

    ” Indeed, compared to the previous kits, the current kits are more robust, user-friendly, and perform more effectively than the previous Kits. There were very few reports of a breakdown of kits in the field. Indeed, a good number of our Data Entry Clerks registered over 280 persons per kit per day as opposed to the past, where the highest registered was 100 voters per kit per day. All in all, the performance of the kits exceeded our expectations,” she added.

    She was optimistic the kits would function effectively on election day.

    “We are confident that the Biometric Verification Devices will function excellently on Election Day.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Speaker expresses hope of fair elections as 7th Parliament comes to an end

    The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye is confident the 2020 December general elections will be an orderly, fair and credible one.

    The Speaker made the comment in his closing remarks when the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana was closed over the weekend.

    The Speaker also expressed hope for a peaceful transition after the elections, saying “the house is making adequate preparations towards the dissolution of the 7th parliament and I urged all to work in tandem for a seamless transition. As the 2020 general elections approach, I wish you all the very best and I pray that our nation will be law-abiding as we know it has always been and that every official will play his or her part according to the requirements of the law of our country. Honourable Members, I am confident that together, we can have an orderly, fair and credible election.”

    On his part the Majority Chief Whip, Kwasi Ameyaw-Cheremeh called for heightened public awareness on the COVI-19 pandemic whiles the Majority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu reiterated the need for peace as the nation heads into the December polls.

    The 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic was inaugurated on the midnight of January 6, 2017 and has worked to be one of the most successful in the history of the country having passed on a record number of legislations.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanas 7th Parliament on recess ahead of December polls

    Members of Parliament can now focus on campaigning for the 2020 elections following the conclusion and adjournment of the seventh parliament of the fourth republic over the weekend.
    The house, brought everything to a halt on Saturday to allow the MPs visit their constituencies and convince their constituents on why they deserve to be re-elected.


    Addressing the house, the Speaker of Parliament expressed the hope that Ghana will come out of the December 7 elections with its reputation as a beacon of democracy in Africa still intact.
    He also sent goodwill message to members of the house who are contesting the elections.


    “Honourable members, the house is making adequate preparations towards the dissolution of the 7th parliament and I urged all to work in tandem for a seamless transition”.


    “As the 2020 general elections approach, I wish you all the very best and I pray that our nation will be law-abiding as we know it has always been and that every official will play his or her part according to the requirements of the law of our country. Honorable Members, I am confident that together, we can have an orderly, fair and credible election,” he said.


    Majority Chief Whip, Kwesi Ameyaw Cheremeh called on Ghanaians to adhere to the safety protocols on the coronavirus pandemic.


    The leader of the Minority group, Haruna Iddrisu reiterated the need for the country to protect its peace before, during and after the elections.


    One of the key decisions taken by the house before its adjournment was the revocation of the membership status of the MP for Fomena.


    After failed persuasion attempts, the NPP on which ticket Andrew Amoako Asiamah contested the 2016 elections sacked him following his decision to contest as independent candidate in the upcoming elections.


    The party notified the house of their decision and after weeks of deliberations, Parliament decided to declare his seat as vacant.


    This move by the August house has been contested by the law professor, Kwaku Azar who motions that the right to take such decision does not lie within the purview of the Speaker of Parliament.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com