Former President Jerry John Rawlings, has described the establishment of an Eminent Advisory Committee by the Electoral Commission as a wise decision that will help to remove the suspicions people have about the Commission.
Describing the committee members as people we must take pride in; the former President said the last commission suffered suspicions because it was appointed by the government in power and expressed the hope that the formation of the committee will help to remove doubts from people’s minds about the independence of the Commission.
Speaking during the launch of the committee at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, Flt Lt Rawlings commended the Chairman of the Peace Council and member of the committee, Most Reverend Emmanuel Asante for helping to ease tensions when the Presidential election results delayed in 2016. The intervention, he indicated, helped to calm nerves.
Commission Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Mensa in outdooring the committee said the major rationale for its establishment was to demystify the Commission and prove its independence. The committee, she stated will serve as a window between the Commission and the public, stating that while the committee will serve to inform the public on the workings of the Commission, the committee members will also serve to pass on concerns from various members of the public to the Commission.
Earlier on Monday when Madam Jean Mensa called on the former President at his office, he reiterated the fact that because people perceive the Commission as appendages of government the establishment of the committee will help to open the Commission to the populace. He urged members of the committee to speak out on issues of national importance now so their voices will be recognized and appreciated when they speak out during the election period.
The 22-man committee chaired by former CHRAJ boss, Justice Emile Short and assisted by Mrs. Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, a former President of the Ghana Journalists Association, include Arch Bishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, Arch Bishop Palmer Buckle, Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, Dr. Rose Mensah Kutin, Dr. Yaw Baah and Maulvi Mohammed Bin Sali as members.
Other members are Most Reverend Emmanuel Asante, Mr. Affail Monney, Nana Ato Dadzie, Mr. Sam Okudjeto, Mr. Tony Forson, Mrs. Freda Duplan, Nana Kobina Nketsia V and Rev. Dr. Cryril Fayose.
The rest are Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong, Rev. Ekua Ofori Boateng, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, Rev. Dr. Paul Frimpong Manso, Rev. Paul Kwabena Boafo and Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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What is the rationale for stuffing this Committee with only Reverends and Bishops. Are they the only people in Ghana? Out of 22 members, 10 are reverends; why? What about Muslims, traditional rulers and African religion leaders (such as Kwaku Bonsam)? The membership of this committee is so biased and skewed. Is it a Christian Committee or what? This country is going backwards!
Wisest decision by this commission I can now relax with my prayers. God bless you Naana and your colleagues
@Nana: See where you are bending this wonderful news to. You also seem not to understand the work of the EC...for your information the commission is not under the presidency to be controlled. In any case the president just as any other citizen has right to disagree with any commission's findings into any issue. Ayekoooo to the commission for this advisory committee they have put in place. I am very sure any person who doubted the credibility of the EC would begin to have confidence in their work. These are truly eminent personalities.
This is a great masterpiece to ensure peace for Ghana elections. Having personally involved in Election Body in Ashanti to manage political incidents for 2012 elections, I am very delighted for the establishment of such an eminent body to handle election challenges beyond NPP and NDC rivalry. It is well appeared to many politicians in the country that they are the only different groups of persons who care about the socio-economic and political development of the nation. The establishment of this eminent body is very essential to reduce political tension during elections. It will take from the politicians the power they arrogate to themselves to take unilateral decisions on election incidents. This is a manifestation of the good fruit of hard work build for decades by organizations such as IEA, TDEG, GCBC, Peace Council and many others to advance dialogue and peace for Ghana political discourse. Bravo Jean, Dr. Akweitey, Bishop Buckles, Upper Room Asante, Samuel Tettey and all. (Fr.POP).
Good news, but is it not the same Emile Short who was disrespected by NANA ADDO after doing a wonderful job on ayawaso who is appointed a chairman again? I hope this committee would not be a white elephant, but I am sure BOSSMAN ASARE doesn't like this decision. Maybe President Kuffour and Rawlings should have been co chairmen rather. That would have been better. Of course it is open secret kuffour is not fan of nana addo and so is JJ not fan of mahama.
Good piece of work, Jean Mensah and Team Ayekooo. We hope these August members will demystify the work of the Commission. Ayekoooooooooooooooo, Jean and Team