TIG Post

Tag: Electoral Commission of Ghana

  • Police arrest 3 individuals for causing confusion at Tepa in the Ashanti Region

    Police arrest 3 individuals for causing confusion at Tepa in the Ashanti Region

    A scuffle broke out during the limited voter registration at the Tepa Electoral Commission office in the Ashanti Region leading to the arrest of three individuals.

    The Ghana Police Service swiftly restored calm, allowing the registration process to resume smoothly.

    The suspects Abass Abukari, George Vinor, and Abdul Karim are now assisting in the ongoing police investigation.

    The nationwide limited voter registration, initiated by the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) ahead of the 2024 general elections, targets first-time voters and those seeking voter cards.

    Chairperson Jean Mensa stated the goal is to register approximately 623,000 first-time voters countrywide.

    “The registration will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. And that gives us the figure of 623,000 that we have put there. That is not to say that we cannot go beyond that. We did mention that in 2023, we projected 700,000 people to visit our registration centers.”

    To mitigate challenges like power outages, the EC has equipped all district offices with rented generators, ensuring uninterrupted registration services.

    “We are trying hard to make arrangements to ensure that we don’t face challenges because of ‘dumsor.’ What we’ve done is to have all our district offices rent generators so that in the event where there’s ‘dumsor,’ they can kick in. However, should there be the unexpected, we would switch to offline mode, meaning voters will be registered manually, and their details will be stored on a pen drive. This data will be copied in our offices when the power returns, so the registration will not be disrupted.”

    The 21-day registration period will run until May 27, 2024.

  • Here are 5 things about Jean Mensah you probably did not know

    Here are 5 things about Jean Mensah you probably did not know

    Jean Adukwei Mensa is a highly esteemed public administrator who has left a remarkable mark on Ghana’s development.

    Currently, she holds the position of Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, which she assumed in 2018. Mensa is widely recognized for her integrity, foresight, and unwavering commitment to fostering free and fair elections in the country.

    Here are five intriguing facts about her:

    Legal Background: Born on October 21, 1964, in Accra, Jean Mensa boasts a solid educational foundation. She earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ghana before pursuing a Master of Laws degree from Queen’s University in Canada.

    These academic achievements paved the way for her successful career in law and public administration.

    Transition to Public Service: Mensa began her career in the private sector, serving as a legal officer for a private law firm in Ghana.

    However, her passion for public service led her to transition into the public sector, where she held various positions of significant responsibility.

    Role in Presidential Debates: During her tenure at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Mensa played a pivotal role in organizing and moderating presidential debates, which became integral to Ghana’s electoral process.

    These debates provided a platform for candidates to articulate their policies and engage with voters, fostering transparency and accountability in the political arena.

    Expertise in Governance: Mensa’s dedication to promoting good governance and democratic practices earned her recognition both domestically and internationally. In 2017, she was appointed as a member of the Council of State, highlighting her expertise and commitment to public service.

    Electoral Commission Leadership: As Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mensa has introduced innovative measures to enhance the transparency and credibility of Ghana’s elections.

    These include the use of biometric technology for voter verification and comprehensive voter education programs. Her initiatives have helped minimize electoral fraud and ensure every Ghanaian citizen can exercise their democratic rights.

    Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jean Mensa is also a devoted wife and mother, striking a balance between her demanding career and family responsibilities.

    Her journey from a private legal practitioner to leading the Electoral Commission serves as an inspiration to many, particularly women, demonstrating that determination and hard work can lead to significant contributions to society’s advancement.

  • Electoral Commission releases district level election activities for 2023

    Electoral Commission releases district level election activities for 2023

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana has unveiled a comprehensive program of activities for the upcoming 2023 District Level Elections (DLE) to ensure a transparent and organized electoral process. Here are the key dates and activities leading up to the election day:

    1. Voter Registration: August 28 to October 2, 2023 – Eligible voters can register during this period.
    2. District Registration Review Committees (DRRC): Swearing in on September 12, 2023 – Ensuring the integrity of the voter registration process.
    3. Transfer of Votes: September 26, 2023 – Allows voters to transfer their votes to new districts if needed.
    4. Replacement of Lost Voters ID Cards: October 3, 2023 – Enables voters to replace lost ID cards.
    5. Exhibition of the Voters’ Register: October 18 to October 31, 2023 – Allows voters to verify their information.
    6. Stakeholder Engagements: November 4 to November 8, 2023 – Involving women, civil society organizations (CSOs), and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process.
    7. Appointment and Briefing of Revising Officers: November 13, 2023 – Finalizes preparations for the elections.
    8. Nominations of Candidates: November 14, 2023 (District Assembly) and November 16-17, 2023 (Unit Committee) – Details will be communicated through press statements.
    9. Publicity on District Level Elections: October 1 to October 19, 2023 – Raising awareness about the elections.
    10. Posting of the Notice of Poll: November 29 to December 4, 2023 – Announcing details of the elections.
    11. Election Day: December 19, 2023 – Citizens will vote and select their representatives.
    12. Breaking of Ties: December 27-28, 2023 – In case of ties in election results.

    The Electoral Commission is dedicated to ensuring a transparent, fair, and inclusive electoral process for the 2023 District Level Elections. The program aims to uphold democratic principles and provide a platform for citizens to actively participate in shaping their local governance. Please note that these dates are subject to change based on circumstances at the time.

  • Bryan’s remarks should concern EC and security authorities – Kobby Mensah

    Bryan’s remarks should concern EC and security authorities – Kobby Mensah

    Professor Kobby Mensah, an associate professor of marketing at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), has urged the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC), security services, and political parties to take action over the recent comments made by the Minister of Food and Agriculture.

    Bryan Acheampong, last weekend, mounted a platform at Mpraeso in the Eastern Region to address supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), vowing to ensure that the party does not hand over power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) even if they win the 2024 elections.

    He also indicated that the NPP has the “men” to face the NDC if the latter employs violence in seeking to return to power.

    Speaking on The Keypoints on TV3/3FM on Saturday, April 15, Prof Kobby Mensah said the comments by the Abetifi MP is a cause for concern.

    “For me, I think that the EC must be concerned, the security agencies must be concerned, the political parties must be concerned, which the NDC has actually said they are concerned about,” he said.

    Already, the opposition NDC has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to invite the Agriculture Minister for questioning.

    The move, spearheaded by the party’s Director of Legal Affairs, Abraham Amaliba, provoked the NPP to also petition the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to probe 2020 Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama and National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia for similar comments.

    But Prof Kobby Mensah said he was scandalised and, indeed, taken aback about the failure of the NPP to apologise for the comments by one of their own but rather backing them.

    “I expected [the NPP] not to give away the Minister but I was expecting them to actually apologise, be remorseful and say that the Minister was carried away [and] we don’t think that this is the appropriate communication and we will have an internal process.

    “In the meantime, we express that regret to the Ghanaian people. That would have been a fantastic political communication,” he stressed.

    He expressed conviction that Mr Acheampong had been chastised in private by his party but expects a public action too.

    For him, this could be a speech act to influence supporters of the NPP in acting untoward on election day.