News
EC improves social distancing protocol at voters registration centres
Adherence to social distancing protocol at voters registration centres in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area has witnessed improvement, following the institutionalisation and implementation of Queue Management System by the Electoral Commission (EC).
The improvement according to registration officers has facilitated the increase in the daily rate of cards issued to prospective voters.
A tour by the Ghanaian Times, yesterday to the Okaikwei South District, showed that there have been progress in observing physical distancing among individuals, who were at the centres, compared with what was experienced during phase one of the registration exercise.
At the District EC office in Okaikwei South, provision had been made for plastic chairs and benches to facilitate the queuing system.
According to the District Registration Supervisor, Mr Joseph Quartey, although the compliance level of applicants has generally been satisfactory, the centre occasionally saw the aged and lactating mothers not obeying the social distancing rules.
He explained that this was because such people sat on the benches and occasionally congest themselves on the bench, but officials ensured they allowed enough distance among themselves, once they realised such situation.
“The behaviour of some applicants, especially the aged and lactating mothers who use the benches sometimes leads to the social distancing not been observed, but on the whole, people comply with the queuing system,” Mr Quartey told the paper.
Mr Quartey said that the introduction of the Queue Management System had led to the centre issuing 160 cards on daily basis.
One of the health personnel at the same centre, Mr Daniel Asamoah explained an incidence that was recorded on Monday.
He said a 65 old man had collapsed while seated in the queue but was attended to and stabilised before being rushed to the Kaneshie Polyclinic, where he was admitted.
Mr Asamoah added that, the situation was due to high blood pressure.
Similarly, at the three cluster centres at the Saint Theresa’s Catholic School, applicants were seen respecting social distancing protocols, as they sat apart from each other.
A Registration Assistant at the centre, Claudia Azumah said that they were able to register and issue about 120 cards to prospective voters each day.
In all the centres visited by the paper, it was observed that, applicants were in masks and their temperatures were checked using an infrared thermometer before they started the process of registration.
![Mrs Georgina Quaittoo [third from right] pose with some members of the Association Photos Okai Elizabeth.](https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mrs-Georgina-Quaittoo-third-from-right-pose-with-some-members-of-the-Association-Photos-Okai-Elizabeth.jpg)
THE Times Ladies Association, a group consisting of female staff of the New Times Corporation (NTC), on Monday commemorated this year’s International Women’s Day with a call on women to empower themselves through education, unity and healthy living to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The event, held at the NTC’s boardroom, was attended by management members and staff of the corporation and was to celebrate the achievements of women and reflect on their role in society.
In her address, the President of the association, Mrs Georgina N.M Quaittoo, said the global celebration, marked annually on March 8, recognised the economic, political and social achievements of women while raising awareness about gender equality.
Although the international celebration fell on Sunday, she explained that the association decided to mark the occasion on March 9 to enable members to participate fully and commemorate the day in their own way.
Speaking on this year’s theme: ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,’ and the global campaign theme: ‘Give to Gain,’ she the association had over the years worked tirelessly to support the growth and progress of the corporation despite the challenges they faced.
Urged members to commit themselves to deeper service to humanity and the advancement of women. She said women were unique, resilient and invaluable to society, stating that they deserved respect, appreciation, kindness and love for the vital roles they played in families, workplaces and communities.
According to her, members of the President, who is also the Editor of The Spectator newspaper, encouraged members to empower themselves academically and take advantage of opportunities to improve their lives and careers.
She also urged them to maintain healthy lifestyles by going for regular medical check-ups, exercise regularly, get enough rest and support one another.
Moreover, she advised members to accept leadership positions when given the opportunity and to exhibit qualities such as hard work, confidence, patience, compassion and responsibility in both their homes and workplaces.
Contributing, the Chanel Marketing and Circulation Manager, Mr Alfred Koomson, said women played critical roles in society and deserved to be supported and appreciated.
He urged men to recognise that they were often vulnerable species without the care, support and contributions of women in their lives.
He, therefore, commended women for the invaluable roles they play as mothers, caregivers, professionals and leaders, stressing that society would be incomplete without them.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
GHANA celebrated her 69th Independence Anniversary last Friday with colourful parades across all 16 regions of the country.
This year’s theme: ‘Reflect, Review, Reset,’ emphasised the importance of reflecting on the nation’s journey, assessing its current state, and planning for a brighter future.
At the Jubilee House, dignitaries present were President John Mahama, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Presidents, Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor, behalf of the President, former President of Tanzania, and other distinguished guests.
The President, John Dramani Mahama, addressed the nation at the seat of government whiles Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives addressed their various assemblies on.
As part of the celebrations, school children paraded and displayed their marching skills whiles others performed cultural and other social activities to mark the day across the regions.
