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Voter registration begins today
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged all eligible voters to participate in the new voters’ registration exercise which begins today, while observing the coronavirus (COVID-19) safety protocols at the registration centres.
In a televised address to the nation last night, the President appealed to Ghanaians not to allow the fear of the pandemic to prevent them from participating in the exercise which will give them the right to vote in the general elections on December 7.
He said despite the outbreak of the COVID-19, elections have been successfully conducted in Asia, Europe and Africa, adding that “it is not beyond Ghana to join these nations to organise a successful election even in the midst of a pandemic”.
President Akufo-Addo entreated Ghanaians who have turned 18 and of sound mind to participate in the exercise and strictly adhere to the safety protocols and restrictions, especially the protocols regarding gatherings.
“It is important that all eligible voters register so that they can vote to choose their President and Members of Parliament,” he said and expressed optimism that the exercise and the upcoming election will consolidate Ghana’s democratic records on the continent.
President Akufo-Addo dismissed suggestions that the upcoming elections be rescheduled to a future date due to the outbreak of the pandemic, arguing that the country’s constitution makes no provision for the extension of the mandate of a President under any circumstance.
On the ruling by the Supreme Court last Thursday which gave the EC the green light to conduct the registration, the President said the ruling has reiterated that a credible electoral register and election is important to securing a future wellbeing of any democratic nation.
He entreated persons who do not meet the requirements to vote to desist from participating in the registration exercise, adding that anyone who is not eligible to vote but attempts to register, or anyone who assists such persons will be made to face the law.
Touching on the deployment of military personnel on the country’s borders, the President indicated that the military has since February last year been making such deployments to protect the country’s borders from terrorists.
Also, he said the military has been assisting the Immigration Service to secure the country’s borders which were closed in March due to the outbreak of the COVID- 19.
He said their deployment is neither a move to intimidate people from participating in the registration exercise nor part of any machination to rig the upcoming election.
“I have no interest in disenfranchising any Ghanaian,” he said and urged all Ghanaians who are 18 years and of sound mind to register.
President Akufo-Addo urged eligible voters to present a passport or Ghana Card to register and, in the absence of the two documents, submit a completed identification guarantee form endorsed by two registered voters.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
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The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
