Why NPP Is Calling For A New Voter's Register - Nana Addo

“We are calling for a new voter register not because we think it will present the NPP with any electoral advantage. We are doing so because we want to strengthen and deepen Ghana’s democratic credentials.

We want a democracy where Ghanaians, not foreigners, can rightfully and confidently determine who their leaders should be, and also where the major stakeholders have no qualms whatsoever, about the outcome of elections.”

These were the words of the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when the newly elected parliamentary candidate for the Tema West constituency, Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, called on him at his Nima residence to formally introduce himself to him (Nana Addo) after his (candidate’s) victory in the July 25 parliamentary primaries of the party.

Addressing Mr Ahenkorah and his entourage – made up of polling station and constituency executives from Tema West – Nana Akufo-Addo stated, “We want a credible electoral system in Ghana, and not just a new voter register. That is what we are fighting for, because it is the best guarantee for our future stability and progress.”

He continued, “Happily, it is not only the NPP that is talking about the need for a credible electoral system and a new, credible voter register. I can assure you that we are not going to relent in our advocacy till Ghana gets a credible electoral system, which has as its base a new and credible   register.”

The NPP flagbearer recounted how since 1992, the NPP had been the only party leading instigations for electoral reforms in Ghana. The introduction of transparent ballot boxes, photo voters’ ID card and a biometric voter register in 2012, he said, had all been at the behest of the NPP. The NDC, on the contrary, had always been opposed to any form of electoral reforms.

“I remember when the NPP proposed a photo voters’ ID card to replace the thumbprint ID card, the then Attorney General, my good friend and senior, Dr. Obed Asamoah, opposed it. When the NPP proposed a biometric registration, the EC at the time, described the proposal as unheard-of. Because of our advocacy and the benefits of these reforms to the stability of Ghana, these were widely accepted by all at the end of the day,” Akufo-Addo recalled.

Support Carlos

To the polling station and constituency executives who accompanied Carlos Ahenkorah, the NPP flagbearer admonished them to fully support him in the party’s quest to retain the seat in 2016.

He urged them to desist from venting whatever issues they may have with Carlos Ahenkorah through the media.

“Every family has issues, but these issues are always settled at home. If he is doing something to your displeasure, please go to him in private and address these issues. There is no need to go to the radio stations or newspapers to get your issues addressed. We want to bring to an end all the loud talks in the NPP to a closure, so we can foster a sense of unity in our party,” he added.

Nana Akufo-Addo also urged Carlos Ahenkorah to tap into the wealth of experience of the current NPP MP for Tema West, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, in the run-up to 2016.

NPP To Retain Tema West

Carlos Ahenkorah thanked Nana Akufo-Addo for meeting the delegation, and assured him that he would make sure the Tema West seat, which has traditionally been an NPP seat, is retained in 2016.

“Not only will Tema West remain in the hands of the NPP, but I can also assure you that your winning margin will see a massive increment in 2016,” he added.