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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
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
