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The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has reiterated that its mandate is not to determine or appoint the country’s president.
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During a live broadcast of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, EC Chairperson Madam Jean Mensa emphasised that the Commission’s sole responsibility is to declare the choice of the voters, not to influence the outcome.
She assured that the EC will uphold this stance in the upcoming 2024 general elections, reaffirming the Commission’s neutrality and dedication to fairness.
Madam Mensa also called on political parties to refrain from spreading misinformation about the EC’s role, urging them to be clear about the Commission’s limited authority in the election process.
“I would like to quote from Dr Hassan Ayariga’s statement where he said the EC can never make anybody a president, and I think that we all know that around this table. And therefore, we should not peddle misinformation,” she said.
She added, “And peddle false news and disinformation and give the innocent citizens who do not know the process that the Electoral Commission can make somebody a President. I would like to quote from Dr Hassan Ayariga’s statement that the EC can never make anybody a President.
“What the EC does is to declare who the voters choose as their President. And so, it’s the Ghanaian voter who votes a president into being and not the EC that makes a President. We only declare the voter’s choice. And that is what will happen come December 2024. It’s who the voter wants to be President of this land who will be declared by the EC,” she concluded.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has taken note of public allegations of extortion and related conduct made against the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The allegations were made by the Chief Executive of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi.
In a brief statement, the OSP said it has also received a joint petition submitted by two persons, as well as two separate petitions from other persons, in relation to the same allegations.
“Given the nature of the allegations, the OSP will assess the case and determine whether it falls within its statutory mandate and whether further investigative action is warranted,” the statement said.
The development comes amid a heated public feud between the Minority in Parliament and the leadership of GoldBod over the operations of the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
The Minority, led by Afenyo-Markin, has accused GoldBod and the Bank of Ghana of causing a loss of over $1.7 billion, citing the International Monetary Fund’s August 2026 report. The Minority has vowed to pursue the matter as Parliament has reconvened for an emergency sitting.
GoldBod, on the other hand, has rejected claims by some NPP MPs, including Tano South MP Dr Gideon Boako, that it owes the Bank of Ghana GH¢1 billion in overdrafts, describing the claim as “false and malicious.”
In the latest twist, GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi has accused the Minority Leader of extortion and related conduct, an allegation that has triggered petitions to the OSP.
The OSP is mandated under Act 959 to investigate and prosecute specific cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offences involving public officers and politically exposed persons.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
