News
‘New voters’ register will reform electoral system’
Nana Sramangyedua III, the queen mother of Wenchi Traditional Area in the Bono Region, has observed that the compilation of a bnew voters’ register is in the right direction in order to reform electoral system.
“The existing voters’ register is prone to manipulation which can endanger and change the outcome of the December polls and I support the call for compilation of an entirely new voters’ register,” she stressed.
Mounting a defence for her support on compilation of a new voters’ register for the December polls, Nana Sramangyedua pointed out that looking at situations surrounding the current electoral system apart from known facts of multiple registration, the system was porous for manipulation.
Nana Sramangyedua added her voice to the call for the compilation of a new voters’ register debate when the regional executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bono Region led by Kwame Baffoe, the regional chairman paid a courtesy call on the queen mother as part of a three-day regional tour of traditional councils to sensitise, educate and solicit support and assistance of traditional authorities on the Electoral Commission’s quest in sanitising the electoral system.
“If experts are advising that the current register is not credible and cannot be trusted because it has been bloated with the names of foreign nationals, minors and other illegalities, then it’s better we compile a fresh voters’ register that will promote free, fair, credible and transparent elections,” she intimated.
The executives also paid courtesy calls on traditional authorities in the Jaman North and South, Berekum West, Wenchi and Tain districts to interact with them and also dispel rumours, lies, untruths and propaganda about the compilation of a new voters’ register peddled by some opposition parties and civil society organisations. -abcnewsgh.com
The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has defended the conduct of the Minority in Parliament during Tuesday’s chaotic sitting, insisting their actions were to protect what they believe is a violation of parliamentary procedure.
Explaining the incident, he said the Minority was reacting to developments surrounding a letter which allegedly directed that a seat belonging to the MP for Kpandai be declared vacant despite an earlier ruling by the Speaker.
He argued that the Speaker’s ruling should stand unless overturned by a competent court, and described the sudden reversal as shocking and against parliamentary precedent.
Mr Ahmed said the Minority only attempted to make a statement to register their displeasure, but tensions rose when the Majority Leader insisted on responding instead of commenting, which he said was against the rules.
He also denied claims that Minority MPs crossed the aisle, stressing that they remained within their side and only sought the Speaker’s attention.
He further complained that during proceedings, the Mace—the symbol of authority in the House—was not present and Minority microphones were disconnected, making the process one-sided.
He said the caucus intends to continue pushing to ensure that the MP for Kpandai retains his seat, adding that their next steps will be strategic.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Mahama has stated that it is too early for anyone to call for the scrapping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) despite recent controversies surrounding the institution.
He argued that the office remains an important part of Ghana’s fight against corruption.
He explained that government is strengthening anti-corruption bodies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the OSP, noting that the OSP is the only agency with the power to independently prosecute cases without going through the Attorney General.
President Mahama said many people distrust the Attorney General’s office because it is headed by a government minister, and some fear it may be slow to prosecute its own.
He believes an independent body like the OSP offers stronger accountability, regardless of who is involved.
He admitted that citizens want to see more prosecutions and visible results, but urged the public to give the OSP time.
He encouraged the office to speed up its investigations to show that it remains relevant in the fight against corruption.
By: Jacob Aggrey
