The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to remain an unbiased umpire in order to restore confidence in the electoral system.
“It should not be the case of ‘he who pays the piper calls the tune’”.
This was contained in a 2020 Lenten Pastoral Letter signed by its President, Most Rev. Philip Naameh, who is also the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tamale.
The letter was on the theme “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled with God” (2 Cor 5:20).
Transparent elections
It appealed to the EC to conduct free, fair and transparent elections on December 7, 2020, when the country would be going to the polls to elect a President and parliamentarians.
“All the political parties are to be given a fair and a level playing field to contest the upcoming elections,” it stated.
It also appealed to all political parties and their members to support and respect the independence and verdicts of the Electoral Commission, stressing that, “we encourage all the stakeholders to continue to use the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) sessions to engage the EC on their grievances.”
Exercise franchise
The letter called on all Christians of voting age to exercise their civic responsibilities in the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
That, it said, would be following the footsteps of Jesus who did not shun his civil duties hence the need for all Christians to actively participate in the elections.
“We need to exercise our franchise conscientiously during the elections to secure a better country for tomorrow. We need to eschew the vote buying syndrome and vote according to our conscience,” it said.
Conducive environment
The letter appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the security agencies to provide the necessary and conducive environment devoid of fear, intimidation and hooliganism.
It said when people were not sure of their safety, they would not risk their lives to vote.
“Every human life is sacrosanct and needs to be protected. It is the duty of all Ghanaians to work hard to uphold the sanctity of human life before, during and after the forthcoming elections,” it said.
It said the security agencies should, therefore, be on top of the situation by being tactful and practical to prevent electoral insecurity.
Technology
It said digital technologies had added zest to the ability of people to communicate, saying “in this age, everybody is a journalist.”
The letter urged Ghanaians to use the social media, Internet, mobile phones and other tools in a more positive and better way.
“These devices are not to be used to fuel hate and violent speeches. Violence is the antithesis of peace and it prides itself on the sword. Jesus tells us: “for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matt 26:52).
“Today, the sword can take the form of multiple registration, multiple voting, vigilantism, “macho” men who intimidate and steal ballot boxes, using the digital media to write and propagate damaging things,” it stressed.
It noted that the violent show of passion obstructs peace and made harmony a difficult thing to achieve.
Source: Daily Graphic
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I HAVE NOTICE THAT SUDDENLY ALL OUR STAKE HOLDERS HAVE LOST THE VIM THEY USED TO CRITICIZE THE NDC GOVERNMENT EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE DONE VIRTUALLY NOTHING WRONG. TODAY IN GHANA SERIOUS THINGS ARE DONE AND EVERY BODY IS QUIET. I AM CALLING ON THE OPINION LEADERS OF THIS COUNTRY TO WAKE UP AND SPEAK TO POWER ELSE GHANA WILL SINK IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. THOSE OF THEM WHO BECAUSE OF MONEY HAS DECIDED TO KEEP QUIET WILL BE THE ONES WHO INVESTMENT WILL GO WASTE IF ANYTHING BAD HAPPENS SO THEY SHOULD THINK AGAIN.
VERY GOOD ADVICE TO ALL WELL MEANING PEOPLE OF GHANA. IT IS SO SENSIBLEEE TO BE APPRECIATED IN SOBER REFLECTION THE EC IS URGED TO CONTINUE TO ENGAGE ALL STAKE HOLDERS. THE EC MUST ENSURE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS BY CREATING THE LEVEL PLAYING GROUNDS FOR ALL CONTENDERS. THUS, THE EC SHOULD WORK HARD TO ELIMINATE ANY POSSIBLE LOOPHOLE FOR RIGGING AND FRAUD. POLITICAL PARTIES ARE TO COOPERATE WITH EC. THE PARTIES AND ALL ARE TO RESPECT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE EC. THIS MEANS THAT NO POLITICAL PARTY OR ANY OTHER HAS THE RIGHT OF SAY MORE THAN ANY ONE ELSE. ALL SHOULD COLLABORATE WITH EC TO REACH CONSENSUS BUT IF CONSENSUS FAILS THE EC HAS THE RIGHT TO JUDGE AND DECIDE AS DETERMINED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF GHANA. ACCORDINGLY IF ANY ONE FINDS THE EC TO BE WRONG IN APPLICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION SUCH PARTY CAN GO FOR A RULING ON THE MATTER AT THE SUPREME COURT. THIS IS A VERY GOOD PIECE OF ADVICE TO ALL IN GHANA. IT IS GOOD TO DEEPEN OUR DEMOCRACY AND PROMOTE A MORE CIVILIZED ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR SOCIETY. GHANA IS NOT A JUNGLE STATE. THANK GOD WE HAVE PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY AND FEAR OF GOD TO SUPPORT THE RULE OF LAW FOR AN ORDERLY SOCIETY. POP
better late than never.