The Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education, NCCE in charge of Operations, Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah, said, the NCCE is constitutionally mandated to educate citizens on their civic right and responsibilities and would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to create and enhance citizens’ awareness on election issues and ensure active citizens’ participation in the governance process.
Speaking at STAR Ghana’s launch of election 2020 projects in Accra, Mr. Akuamoah called on all stakeholders who participate in elections, to pay more attention to the marginalised groups in the society, particularly women and the disabled, in carrying out their projects.
The Chairman of the Star Ghana Foundation Governing Council, Dr. Esther Offei-Aboagye, recommended effective collaboration between Civil Society Organasitions, increased citizenship engagement, improved voter process for persons with disability and older persons, positive use of social media to increase awareness drive, capacity building of political parties to be transparent, and responsible media reportage.
British High Commissioner to Ghana, his Excellency, Iain Walker urged the government to deal with political party vigilantism during elections because it risks damaging Ghana’s global reputation as a stable democracy. “I acknowledge the efforts of the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo to deliver independent investigations under Parliament of Ghana and for passing the Vigilantism Act, however, I think with the impact and effectiveness of that, several measures are not yet untested,” he said.
The Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, in charge of operations, Samuel Tettey, indicated that for the country to enjoy a free and fair election, the electorates need to be well informed to equally take part in the electoral process and be law-abiding citizens. Mr. Samuel Tettey further noted that vigilantism, electoral violence, campaign, and manifesto influence have been the major challenge in the Ghanaian electoral process.
The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency, Diana Acconcia, noted that the media and CSOs played key roles in elections and needed the support to whip up citizens’ interest in elections and make elections issue-based.
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