Editorial
Kudos to Electoral Commission
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
Warning: Trying to access array offset on false in /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
&description=Kudos to Electoral Commission', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
Warning: Trying to access array offset on false in /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
&description=Kudos to Electoral Commission', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The performance of the Electoral Commission (EC) during the December 7, 2020, presidential and parliamentary elections shows that the election management body performed creditably well not only to the admiration of Ghanaians but the world as a whole.
The impressive performance of the Commission started long before the elections in December 2020.
During the registration of voters, the Commission provided regular updates to the electorate to make them aware of what was going on. These updates provided useful information to everyone in this country.
Under what was known as “Let the citizens know”, the Commission provided regular information on the registration, pointing out the number of people registered in various parts of the country. In fact, by the end of the exercise people had an idea as to what the total number of registered voters would be.
During the voting, in December, the EC provided more service points at the polling stations to reduce such time. This also helped to reduce the frustrations of people during voting exercises. Indeed, many voters expressed their joy at the 2020 general elections claiming that the experience encountered, was the best compared with previous ones.
Additionally, there was continuous engagement of the EC with political parties. This was prior to the election itself. The openness on the part of the Commission provided a high degree of transparency for the exercise.
Again, the voting machines worked efficiently and effectively. This also helped to speed up the process, an undeniable fact acknowledged by both local and international observers.
What is more, the tallying of the election results was done smoothly as was confirmed by various observer groups, namely, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observer Mission, African Union Mission and the European Union (EU) Team. Another group that monitored the election was the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO).
All these observer groups confirmed that the entire process, that is, the start of voting, the general conduct of the election officials, the ending of the voting and the counting, was highly satisfactory.
Ghanaians must take pride in this successful exercise and share in the glory with each and everyone in the country, knowing the exercise has been successful because of the contributions of all stakeholders.
Last but not least, the provision of materials for the protection of voters in line with the COVID-19 safety protocols requires special commendations.
Before the registration of voters and the voting, some political elements in the country threatened mayhem and stated that the exercise would be a failure, because, according to them, the COVID-19 pandemic would worsen matters and infect many people. They, therefore, called on the EC not to undertake the exercise.
The Spectator is grateful that the exercise has been successful to the admiration of Ghanaians, local election observers as well as the international community.
Kudos to Mrs Jean Mensa, the other Commissioners and, indeed, the entire Electoral Commission as well as all other well-meaning Ghanaians.
Dear Editor,
I want to use this platform to create awareness on the growing safety challenge at some of our beaches, particularly the lack of adequate safety measures to prevent accidents.
Beaches are important recreational spaces that also contribute significantly to Ghana’s tourism industry. However, many beaches lack trained lifeguards, emergency equipment and proper supervision.
During weekends, holidays and sometimes weekdays, families visit these beaches to have fun and some, for relaxing, yet the necessary safety measures are often inadequate.
The situation becomes even more worrying when children and inexperienced swimmers enter the water without proper guidance; it can quickly turn a day meant for enjoyment into a tragedy for families.
I urge beach operators and local authorities to strengthen safety measures at our beaches, make trained lifeguards available at busy beaches, warning signs clearly displayed and emergency responses system established.
Public education is equally important as well. Visitors must be encouraged to obey safety instructions, avoid dangerous places and remain vigilant especially when children are around.
Ghana has beautiful beaches with enormous potentials that attract both local and international tourists, but we cannot promote beach tourism effectively whiles neglecting the safety of the people who visit these places.
I hope the authorities will treat beach safety as a national priority before it cause any tragedy.
From Elvis Amoako
Teshie-Nungua.
Dear Editor,
In Ghana, it appears that the moment a prominent politician is arrested or convicted, we fail to ask of the person’s offence but rather think of the person’s political affiliation.
Taking the recent 20-year imprisonment handed to New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti regional chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has once again exposed this troubling culture.
An Accra high court convicted him on illegal-mining related charges and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The NPP has since announced its intention to appeal the conviction.
What concerns me is not whether one belongs to the NPP or the NDC, what concern me is our growing tendency to attach a political identity to every arrest, investigation or court judgment. If an NPP member is arrested, some immediately say the NDC government is targeting the opposition. If an NDC member faces legal trouble the same argument will easily be reversed when political circumstances change.
We must ask ourselves; Are we defending justice or are we simply depending on our political colours? Political affiliation should never determine whether we believe a person deserves investigation, prosecution or a fair trial. If someone is accused of wrongdoing the proper institution must investigate, the court must determine guilt and the accused must have the right to challenge the decision through legal process.
Ghana cannot build a strong democracy if every criminal investigation becomes a political battle. Let us learn to separate politics from justice, a wrongdoing does not become right because the accused belong to your party and an accusation does not become true simply because the person belong to the opposing party.
Our loyalty should first be Ghana, the rule of the law and justice not to political colors.
From Desmond Yaw Frimpong
Pentecost University
