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EC’s scrapping of guarantor system a cover up – Asiedu Nketiah

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Asiedu Nketia

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has renewed its concerns with the plan by the Electoral Commission to make the Ghana card the sole identification for the registration of voters.

This comes on the heels of the confirmation of the electoral management body to abolish the guarantor system for the use of the Ghana card for its continuous voter registration exercise.

General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, in his reaction to the development insisted that the move remains a calculated tool to disenfranchise its members.

“If the EC is going to use a system to disenfranchise about three million Ghanaians [who do not have Ghana card], does that result in a free, fair and transparent election because right from the word go, those people have been cut off.  The intention is to disenfranchise NDC people so they [NPP] win the elections that is why they are claiming to break the eight.”

The EC has announced sweeping reforms to voter registration and voting, two years before the next general elections.

These will affect source documents for voter registration and the voter ID system, and will take effect with the maturation of a yet-to-be laid constitutional instrument.

The Commission while debunking claims that the Ghana Card will be used as Voter Identification in 2024, insisted the Ghana Card will be the sole document for limited and continuous voter registrations.

EC believes the guarantor system is fraught with many challenges and could no longer provide a secure system of voter registration for the country.

Johnson Asiedu Nketiah believes the EC cannot be trusted with these new electoral amendments.

“This is a position the EC has taken and we have been fighting it. I believe that our position makes sense and the EC’s communication did not convince Ghanaians that, they are on the right track and we believe that we shall overcome it.”

“If the argument by the EC is that, they are not going to touch the existing register, how will the new names go and clean the old register? It means that, they have something hidden they do not want Ghanaians to know”, he said on Eyewitness News.

With the difficulties associated with the acquisition of the Ghana card, the EC has urged the National Identification Authority to accelerate the printing of Ghana cards to enable prospective voters to register to vote.

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Bawumia is not under pressure to announce running mate

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Dan Kwaku Botwe, the Campaign Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, has stated that the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, is not facing any pressure to announce his running mate. Dr. Bawumia has faced criticism for the prolonged delay in announcing his running mate, despite requesting additional time from the National Council of the party. Addressing journalists in Kumasi, Dan Botwe assured that the flagbearer would announce his desired candidate at the right time. ‘We have not mentioned a particular candidate and no such discussion has come up but finding a running mate has never been our problem. It has never been a contentious issue for us.”

Dan Kwaku Botwe, the Campaign Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, has claimed that the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, is under no pressure to select his running partner.

Dr. Bawumia has faced criticism for the extended delay in naming his running mate, despite asking for further time from the party’s National Council.

Addressing the media in Kumasi, Dan Botwe stated that the flagbearer would disclose his preferred candidate at the appropriate time.

‘We haven’t specified a specific candidate, and no such conversation has occurred, but finding a running mate has never been an issue. It has never been a controversial subject for us.”

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Former GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi considered a likely contender for the Ejisu by-election

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However, he has been sensitive to the constituency's grief over the unexpected death of the Deputy Finance Minister. Mr. Nyantakyi, speaking at the opening of the New Patriotic Party's Ashanti Regional Campaign team in Kumasi, suggested gently that he intends to run for parliament once the official timeline is revealed. He emphasised his strong links to the constituency and his eligibility to run, while also recognising the need of honouring the late MP's grieving time.

Following the untimely death of John Ampontuah Kumah, Member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency, the focus is shifting to probable contenders for the empty parliamentary seat.

Kwesi Nyantakyi, former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), is one significant figure to emerge.

Mr Nyantakyi has not ruled out contesting the upcoming by-election.

However, he has been sensitive to the constituency’s grief over the unexpected death of the Deputy Finance Minister.

Mr Nyantakyi, speaking at the opening of the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Campaign team in Kumasi, suggested gently that he intends to run for parliament once the official timeline is revealed.

He emphasised his strong links to the constituency and his eligibility to run, while also recognising the need of honouring the late MP’s grieving time.

“The Ejisu by-election will definitely come on, but the timetable has not been published yet so we don’t know those who want to contest. Since I come from there and I have the right to contest, at the right time, we’ll see what will happen.

“But at the moment, we are mourning the demise of a very dear son of the constituency. The Member of Parliament is a big loss to the constituency and let’s see what happens after the one week,” Nyantakyi stated.

He urged the rank and file to offer the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, peace of mind when choosing a running partner.

“I think it is a prerogative of the flagbearer to select the running mate, so let’s leave it to him. At the right time, he’ll do that.”

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My comments were distasteful – Kwesi Ahwoi apologizes to NDC fraternity

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Kwesi Ahwoi criticised his remarks, claiming that he "misspoke on the occasion." I accept the comments in good faith, even if they are based on an intentional misinterpretation of my position.

Kwesi Ahwoi, a member of the Ahwoi family, has issued an unequivocal apology to former President John Dramani Mahama.

He said he never intends to hope that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his entire four-year term if he wins the 2024 general elections.

Kwesi Ahwoi criticised his remarks, claiming that he “misspoke on the occasion.” I accept the comments in good faith, even if they are based on an intentional misinterpretation of my position.

Kwesi Ahwoi writes:

I have taken notice of the unfortunate controversy that has arisen as a result of a comment I made at a reception organized last Thursday by the Churchstreet group of NDC faithfuls for Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Running Mate to our esteemed flagbearer, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.

I sincerely regret the wrong impression that my comment has created. Indeed, it was not my intention, and never will it be my intention to pray that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his full four-year term when he wins the 2024 general elections.

I concede that I misspoke on the occasion. I accept the criticisms in good faith, even though some of the criticisms arise out of a deliberate misrepresentation of my statement.

Indeed, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang in response to my toast, pointed out the erroneous impression created by my statement and was categorical in asserting that she was certain that H.E. John Mahama will win the 2024 general elections and serve his full four-year term.

It is unfortunate that my statement appears to have taken the shine off what was otherwise a cheerful and light-hearted occasion.

I hereby render an unreserved and unqualified apology to H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the leadership and rank and file of the great NDC.

Comrades and friends, let us put this unfortunate incident behind us and unite behind our flag-bearer, the visionary Nation Builder, to rescue our beloved country in the December 2024 elections.

SIGNED.
Kwesi Ahwoi

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