The Minority Caucus has issued an official statement rejecting High Court ruling that nullified the 2024 Kpandai parliamentary election, insisting the poll was transparent and reflected the will of the people.

According to the Minority Caucus, records show a transparent process, a credible declaration, and a result that reflected the will of the people.

In a statement signed by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, it is important for the public to have a full understanding of what occurred before, during and after the collation.

The statement noted that Matthew Nyindam won the parliamentary election with a margin of 3,734 votes.

The statement added that “After the NDC secured the presidential results, the NDC parliamentary candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, gathered a group of supporters who arrived at the collation centre in a Mahindra pickup wearing NDC T-shirts.”

“They damaged some ballot boxes in an attempt to interrupt the collation, believing that the Electoral Commission would not have the pink sheets required to complete the declaration. The tension that followed created serious security risks,” the statement alleged.

According to the Minority, this led the Electoral Commission to move the final declaration to its regional office in Tamale. All NDC agents had already signed the pink sheets at every polling station across the constituency. confirming the accuracy of the results.

They added that when Wakpal realised that he had lost the election, he refused to go to Tamale for the collation.

The Electoral Commission continued with its work and declared Matthew Nyindam the winner with 27,947 votes, while Hon Nsala secured 24,213 votes.

“Wakpal later challenged the results in court. His case focused on his absence in Tamale and on clerical errors in 41 out of 1$2 polling stations. During the trial, the main witness for the NDC stated that the total votes in contention were about 500. Even if the court had awarded all 500 votes to the NDC candidate, he would still have lost by more than 3,000 votes,” they further noted.

They highlighted in their statement that despite this clear position, the Tamale High Court has nullified the entire results and ordered a rerun in the constituency.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

Read full statement below

The street art exhibition of the ongoing 13th edition of Ghana’s largest street art festival, Chale Wote, showcased awe-inspiring crafts that captivated all who attended.

The festival played host to a rich diversity of artistic expressions, ranging from sculptures and paintings to drawings, mosaics, and murals, each work bursting forth with vibrancy and meaning, resonating with its own intricate narrative and profound message.
Central to the exhibition were artworks that eloquently conveyed the enduring resilience of ancestors during the era of the Slave Trade Among these striking pieces was a portrayal of the Sabali Women from West Africa, an artwork that serves as a tribute to their unyielding fight for freedom. This piece, composed of three women’s heads, stands as a powerful symbol of their collective strength and determination.

Under the bright sun, the spirit of creativity continued to flourish as the exhibition section of the Chale Wote Street Art Festival dawned on Accra.

An artist shared insights into the inspiration behind his painting which connected to the festival’s theme “Magneto Motherland“. The artwork, rooted in the exploration of Ghanaian history through the lenses of religion, education and politics, captured the essence of revisiting our past to understand our identity.

As the festival basked in the brilliance of the sun’s rays, attendees were treated to an immersive experience at the esteemed Osu Castle Garden. This enchanting backdrop played host to the interaction between art enthusiasts and the creators themselves.

The visitors delved deep into the artistic process, engaging with the creators to uncover the stories and intricacies that breathed life into their creations. The dynamic exchange transformed the event into a joyful celebration, not only of the finished artworks but also of the creative journeys that led to their fruition.

As the festival journeyed into its third day, the bustling city of Accra reached new heights as the captivating showcase of artist pieces took centre stage.

The historically significant Christiansborg Castle Gardens in Osu underwent a rebirth, evolving into a dynamic living canvas that seamlessly embodied the very spirit of the nation’s artistic expression.

In this transformative setting, the artworks resonated with enhanced vitality, marking a culmination of artistry and culture that left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of experiencing it.

source: myjoyonline.com