Features
National Identification Card – Cause of Political tension
The country finds itself now in a place where there is tension and people are worried that there could be chaos between now and December as we prepare for the elections. This is not a prediction of doom but a proper assessment of the political scene prevailing in the country. This situation could have been easily avoided if previous administrations had prioritised the provision of a National Identification Card and done their job as expected. The current tension in the country has to do with the voters’ register, which is a prerequisite for the elections in December, both parliamentary and presidential. In order to qualify as a voter, a voter’s name must be on the voters’ register and so for any political party to do well in the elections, its supporters’ names must appear on the voters’ register which is compiled by the Electoral Commission (EC).
The only institution mandated by the 1992 Constitution to conduct elections in this country is the Electoral Commission (EC). EC has declared its intention to carry out a registration process that would lead to a new voters’ register. This has led to a section of the players in the political arena mainly led by the largest opposition party the NDC, vehemently opposing the EC in its intention to compile a new voters’ register. A couple of demonstrations had already been staged across the country by a group led by some leading members of the NDC and some smaller parties to communicate their displeasure to the general public about the intended actions of the EC. Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have also voiced their opposition to the compilation of a new voters’ register claiming that the current register is credible and must be used for the December elections, but the EC disagrees in no uncertain terms.
Issues that those opposed to the compilation of a new voters’ register include the assertion that the current register is credible, that it would cost a lot of money to compile a new register, that the time left for such an exercise to compile a new voters register is too short and it has the potential to plunge the country into chaos. The EC on the other hand has also claimed among others that the compilation of a new voters’ register was initiated by the previous management and produced documents to that effect. It further produced a letter from the old vendor of the elections management system which stated that most of the equipment had reached their end of life and have become obsolete.
There has been a history of disagreements by various political parties and the EC since 1992. This has led to the creation of an Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to resolve any disagreements and to provide a consultative forum, so parties and various stakeholders’ views could be taken on board by the EC in major decision making and implementation. There seems to be bad blood or call it mistrust between the current leadership of the EC and the opposition NDC right from the first IPAC meeting initiated by the current EC boss, Madam Jean Mensa.
The EC did not help matters in deepening the mistrust by pronouncements of one of its commissioners to the effect that the NDC was a threat to Ghana’s democracy and also the issuance of invitations to the various stakeholders to attend the latest IPAC meeting which was to take place on May 25, this year. A mistake was made in the date stated on the invitation letter. When the EC realised that instead of 2020, the year was stated as 2010 according to an interview granted by Asempa FM to the National Communications Officer of the NDC, on the May 25, 2020 meeting. The EC then sent a second letter to the NDC, telling them to disregard the previous letter since it contained some errors, and to take note of the second letter. Then the comedy of errors began. The second letter for some reason that only the EC can explain, had the date corrected alright but the time for the meeting was then changed from 10am to 10 pm. The NDC then latched on to the second letter and claimed that they did not attend the meeting because the second letter stated 10 pm only for them to hear that the meeting had taken place at 10am that morning. The NDC further stated that the current EC was incompetent if they could bungle a simple invitation letter like this and you cannot begrudge them; if you give ammunition to your opponents, they would be used against you. The other parties attended the meeting based on the second letter which also was the same as that sent to the NDC because they sought clarification from the EC and realised that the time of 10pm in the second letter, was a mistake.
A careful examination of the positions of the EC on one hand and those opposed to the compilation of a new voters’ register tilt the debate in favour of the EC. Those opposed to the EC, particularly the NDC started with the position that there was no need for a new voters’ register since we had used the current register to conduct the recent referendum on whether DCEs must be elected and that it was credible. The EC came out with information from the previous management as far back as 2015 to the effect that there was the need to revise the system and, therefore, the current voters’ register. According to ghanaweb.com of May 18, 2020 the use of National Identification Authority (NIA) card had been a requirement since 2012, so the claim by the NDC that making the NIA card a requirement under the current CI is an attempt by the EC to cheat for the NPP, falls flat. Again, the EC had admitted that it had not been able to completely delete the names of those who had used National Health Insurance cards from the register as ordered by the Supreme Court and, therefore, to allow the use of the current voter ID cards as one of the required identification documents, would create legal problems for the commission.
The constitution has cast in stone, the date of December 7, in every election year, so there is no option for the EC but to conduct elections for both the presidential and parliamentary, on that day come rain or shine. Given this situation, the EC has taken the firm stance that it would compile a new voters’ register. In relation to the independence of the Electoral Commission, there is no argument about it since the flag bearer of the NDC, Former President John Dramani Mahama, has made a statement alluding to that fact. The NPP and the current President have also no problem with that fact, so the way forward is for all sides to accept the fact that a new voters’ register would be compiled and support the EC to carry out its constitutional mandate and not spew out unsubstantiated claims.
What needs to be done going forward, is to ensure that the NIA registers every Ghanaian so that there would be a database for all Ghanaians. The EC can then extract all those who are above 18 and compile a voters’ register which would be acceptable to all stakeholders because it is compiled from a credible source.
Laud Kissi-Mensah
Today, I focus on the Global Methodist Church in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland. I give special attention to the Ghanaian Methodist Fellowship, which is under the Global Methodist Church in Finland.
The Global Methodist Church in Finland is quite new, having split from the United Methodist Church Finland.
The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
Some history
The Methodist Church in Finland has existed for over 100 years since 1800s. It was conducted mainly in the Finnish language, according to Pastor Freeman Awuah. In 2012, a Finnish member of the Helsinki church and the then Mr Freeman Awuah, a Ghanaian immigrant who had joined the church, started bible studies which was turned into the English version of the church.
Many Ghanaians joined and they formed the Ghana Fellowship church within the Finnish Methodist church with services conducted in Twi.
In 2025, the Ghana Methodist Fellowship joined the Global Methodist Church and became quite well grounded. The Methodist Church generally does not have much influence in Finland as compared to the Lutheran and Orthodox churches. Even so, the Global Methodist Church currently has two branches, in Espoo and Lahti.
The Church has three ordained pastors, with the Finnish pastor as the leader of the church, assisted by Pastor Freeman Awuah (who was ordained a pastor a few years ago) and another Ghanaian pastor (Pastor Paul Brewu, who was recently ordained).
Activities and achievements of the Church
The Global Methodist Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11 in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. When the service is done in Finnish there is English translation, and there is the service by the Ghana Methodist Fellowship, which meets once a month.
There are other meetings on other days when the church has what is termed Community Fellowship (Bible Studies) on Tuesdays in English, Thursdays in Finnish and Fridays in Twi at 6 pm.
The Global Methodist Church in Finland continues to shepherd people in their religious lives for God’s glory. The church opens its doors to people of every nationality, including Finns, other Europeans, and other African migrants, aside those of Ghanaian origins.
“We are a family church because we are a family to other migrants and we care for the needs of each other or others in all situations that we can be of help.
For example, in the women’s group, we have an organisation in Finland which works to fight against human trafficking. The women’s group has also adopted an orphanage in Ghana where we help the less privileged ones”, Pastor Awuah revealed.
But there are also challenges, according to Pastor Freeman, as with any new group or institution that faces initial obstacles. Also, the COVID-19 situation brought a huge challenge such as physical resources and logistics. The lockdowns resulted in church services not conducted regularly, and done online. People are still interested in online worships than physical meetings, he said, adding: “We are trusting God to help”.
Impact of the Ghanaian migrant community
The Global Methodist Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
The Ghanaian community has great impact since majority of the church membership are of Ghanaian origin (about 60 per cent). There are other nationalities and it is thus a very multicultural body.
Integration
By its activities, the Global Methodist Church is thus helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Global Methodist Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
Email: perpetual.crentsil@yahoo.com
I picked Kwakyewa up, and we drove to the site on the Aburi road. We drove for some five minutes, and a security man opened the gate, and we entered the 40 acre plot secured with a fence wall.
‘Here we are. I have just started buying materials. I am planning on building one hundred apartments, and fifty top class houses’. ‘
David, are you telling me that this is all yours?’
‘Yes. All mine. I carefully engaged with the chief of the town, and his elders. I paid him all the arranged monies, in the presence of his people. And I have started work on a school building for the town, and I’m renovating his palace. When the block of houses is sold, I will invest the bulk of the funds here.
I will start with twenty houses, without taking any loan. When I sell them, then I will build many more’.
We went round the site, and spoke with the workers who were clearing the land. After an hour we went back in the car and drove off. ‘You are not saying anything, Kwakyewaa’. ‘
What can I say? It’s just incredible. I will stay for as long as you need me’.
Many thanks, Kwakyewaa.
I will count on your support. I will continue working with the EU for another couple of years, so I will be up north a lot of the time. So you will be in charge’. After spending another couple of hours at the city centre site, we decided on lunch’.
We got down at Sankofa, and I took her hand as we walked to take our seats. After taking a sip of my drink I looked across the big room and saw Abena staring at us, a look of utter shock on her face. She continued to stare as Kwakyewaa spoke about the changes she had to make due to her extended stay in Ghana. After a while I ignored her and focused on the discussion.
‘Now listen, Kwakyewaa, this is a most important part of what we have started to do, as a couple, and as business partners.
For starters, I would like you to prepare a budget of the expenses you need to make as a result of postponing your return and staying here for three months, and I will pay you the money.
In the coming days we will decide on how much money you need to be comfortable. Then, later on, we will take the bigger decisions resulting from continuing with the relationship.
Suddenly she got off from her seat, sat on my lap and hugged me, as the other guests watched in appreciation. Unfortunately I could not look in Abena’s direction.
We parted at the office at the close of day. Kwakyewa joined Eva and Robert for the drive home, as I drove home. Although I was playing my favourite jazz tunes, my head was spinning with thoughts of Kwakyewaa. Abena was beautiful, but Kwakyewaa was in a completely different league altogether.
And she combined queenly beauty with incredible sharpness of mind. She calculated business issues with ease, and she planned and recorded everything. And to top it all, it was obvious from the first day that she cared about me.
This time, business was going well, but the relationship side was also cool. This time, I could forget about Abena and her big ego and sharp tongue.
I sat to watch TV, but started feeling sleepy, so I rose to go and lie down when my phone rang. It was Kwakyewaa. ‘Bernard, Abena just came in. She’s furious. She’s throwing verbal bombs at Esaaba, saying things like “if you think you will insult me by fixing David Kwakyewaa, you are joking.
If I wanted Bernard I wouldn’t have thrown him out. David is junk. She can have him. I’ve gotten someone far better than him. You are all stupid”. ‘
And what did Esaaba say?’ asked.
‘We didn’t say anything. Which made her angrier, so she rained insults for quite some time, and went to her room’.
‘Nice one. It’s good you ignored her. Hey look! She has just sent me a message. Let me check and get back to you’.
I opened the message and read. ‘Bernard, so you are now Kwakyewaa’s boyfriend. Congrats. I thought you would spend sometime to improve yourself before trying to get a girlfriend, but obviously you think otherwise. Pray that she also doesn’t throw you out soon’. I sent her a reply.
‘Madam, I’m tired of your insults and lies. I will come and show this to Mom first thing tomorrow, and tell her about the things you have been saying about me. I may also do you a favour by telling her about a certain transaction by which Jennifer sold an arrogant girl for peanuts.
Goodnight’. She called me numerous times, but I did not pick her call. At six following morning, my doorbell rang, and I went to find Abena and Esaaba, and let them in. ‘David’, Esaaba said after I had offered them seats, I hear you have threatened to come and see Mom this morning to tell her about the message Abena sent to you. Well, we have come to apologize to you, not only for the message but also for anything she has said about you.
She says it will not happen again, so please forgive her, and cancel your plan of coming to see Mom’.
‘Yes, David’, Abena said. ‘I am very sorry. I promise it will never happen again’.
‘Okay. I accept your apology, even though the things you’ve been saying were not true, and they really hurt me, because I did not get the chance to defend myself to the people who heard it’.
‘And David’, Abena said, please do me a favour. ‘You said Jennifer sold me for peanuts. Is it true, or you were just rebutting what I said’.
‘Let’s do it this way’, I said. ‘Call Jennifer, and ask her if it is true that she was paid by your boyfriend for fixing you with him. I’ve heard he has not given her the full amount, so she has been calling him to demand the balance’. ‘I don’t believe it, but let me call her and see’.
She called Jennifer. After a few moments she started shedding tears. ‘Esaaba let’s go’, she said quietly. I walked them to the roadside and hired a taxi to take them home.
At the office a couple of hours later, Kwakyewaa came to sit by my desk and looked straight at my face.
‘So what happens now? Esaaba told me what transpired at your house. ‘What she does is none of my business. Maybe she will go and sort things out with her rich boyfriend’.
‘I was afraid she would decide to fight to have you back. I have been really worried’.
‘Are you joking? We have already agreed on what Esaaba calls a smooth transfer. We have a relationship, and I’m very pleased with it. Let’s make plans for the future as we agreed’.
‘Okay. I have already started implementing my plan. I have told my parents about you, and my plan. They have accepted it. From this evening, I will spend a lot of time with you, at your house. Now, let’s talk about activities for today’.
By Ekow de Heer
