Akatsi-North District Mobilizes Gong-Gong Beaters To Hype Voter Registration

Gong gong beaters in the Akatsi-North District of the Volta Region, have been mobilized to help communicate information on the forthcoming Voters� Register Revision Exercise slated for Friday July 25, to Sunday, August 3. Mr. James Gunu, District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, at a meeting with the �Town Criers� at the weekend at Ave-Afiadenyigba, said they were being galvanized to serve as additional medium to hype the message of the 10-day exercise. Gong gong beaters, emissaries of chiefs and usually witty, move from spot to spot, first hitting at metal pieces repeatedly to draw attention before delivering the message. The Gong gong beaters were among 61 people, including Members of Unit Committees, Chiefs, Electoral and Information Service Officials at the meeting. Mr Gunu said the town-criers would be schooled to deliver the message of the limited registration exercise. The DCE produced a gong gong to demonstrate, drawing laughter, stressing that their inclusion was the beginning of repositioning Gong gong beaters in community mobilization and development. He said, despite technological advancement, the gong gong beater remained relevant, especially for the Local Government and Decentralization systems, and must not be wished away. �The media and social networks notwithstanding, you are even more relevant in our decentralization and Local Government structure and you must hold yourselves up,� Mr. Gunu said. He called them �Information Ministers� in the rural chieftaincy structure, who must not in any way be demeaned by their people. He said the registration exercise, meant for people who had turned 18 or could not have the chance to register previously, should be taken seriously. Mr Francis Denu, District Electoral Officer, admitted information on the limited voter registration exercise had been late and scanty. He advised persons who were already registered, but had lost their ID cards or changed location, not to register, as that would amount to double registration. Mr Denu explained that lost IDs could be replaced and people who had relocated, could also have their names transferred to their new places of residence. Mr Denu, who announced that only one centre would be opened for each electoral area, advised against waiting to register on the last day. He said the centres were selected for mutual convenience to all in an area. Some of the elated gong gong beaters who spoke to the GNA, said their inclusion was uncommon, and an honour and would work hard to justify that honour and that their services would be free.