News
1m dead people still on electoral roll- Jean Mensa
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Mensa, has said that there are names of more than one million dead people still on the country’s electoral roll.
This according to her could create room for manipulation, as a result, all the necessary steps must be taken to ensure that names that were not supposed to be on the register were removed.
Mrs Mensa disclosed this to the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at a public forum last week Friday in Accra.
The forum was organised by the TUC in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Foundation, a non-governmental organisations.
It was on the topic: “towards a peaceful general election in December 2020.”
She said the commission’s decision to compile a new register was to address some of these challenges and it was in the interest of all stakeholders to support the exercise.
Mrs Mensah explained that the compilation of a new register remained the surest way of delivering a free, transparent and credible election.
She said following the acquisition of the new biometric voter’s machines, experts advised against using the existing system in managing the biometric data since doing so could lead to losing biometric information of eligible voters.
She said the finger prints on the old biometric system were poorly done and that could cause electoral hindrances to undermine the EC constitutional mandate of organising credible and transparent elections.
“A lot of people have agitated the reason why the purchase of a new system must lead to the compilation of a new voters register but the answer is simple.
Our experts advised us from the onset that acquiring a new system would lead to changing the system operating the biometric management system,” she said.
Madam Mensa explained further that, migration the biometric data into the newly acquired machines would constitute losing majority of voter’s biometric information.
“Names and finger prints of citizens are likely to be missed from the register which the EC is not ready to risk, therefore, the EC is following its constitutional mandate to conduct credible and peaceful elections,” Madam Mensa said.
She dismissed claims that the Commission has not compiled a new register in an election year before noting that in 2004 and 2012 the register was changed.
“Indeed in 2012, that was when the biometric technology was introduced into the country. At that time, it was new and we did not have experiences in it but the Commission felt it was necessary in the interest of strengthening the system to compile a new register,” she said.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central Kwame Asare Obeng, widely known as A Plus, is calling on young people to take hypertension seriously by checking their blood pressure regularly and taking prescribed medication to prevent sudden deaths and stroke.
In a message shared to the public, the MP noted that cases of young people dying from high blood pressure are rising, even though the condition is preventable.
He mentioned that many refuse to go for checkups, and those who later discover they have hypertension still stop or avoid taking their medication.
He expressed worry that some men refuse treatment because they believe blood pressure drugs affect their sexual performance, a belief he described as misleading.
A Plus stressed that staying alive and healthy should be the priority, adding that complications from uncontrolled hypertension could lead to stroke and long term disability.
He encouraged the youth, especially men, to get their blood pressure tested and take treatment seriously to protect their health and future.
A Plus urged the public to spread the message so more people will take action on their health.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has met first term Members of Parliament to strengthen cooperation between his office and newly elected legislators.
The engagement was organised to help build better working relations and improve communication within the House.
Bagbin stressed the value of open interaction and mentioned that similar sessions will later involve continuing MPs, the media and the public through televised programmes.
He reiterated the 9th Parliament’s goal of promoting openness and inclusion, describing integrity, honesty, civility and participation as key values for national progress.
He encouraged the creation of a mentorship system to allow experienced members to guide new ones.
Bagbin reflected on the growth of Ghana’s legislature over the years, noting a shift from strong partisan conduct to a more mature multiparty atmosphere.
He urged MPs to maintain their party identity while working together for development.
Present at the meeting were the Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Deputy Majority Whip Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe and the Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei.
By: Jacob Aggrey
