“Together we can build Ghana, so get involved” - Asuogyaman District Office of NCCE inaugurates IPDC

With the theme “Together we can build Ghana, so get involved," the Asuogyaman district office of NCCE inaugurated the IPDC on Thursday, 5th September 2024.

The stakeholders meeting, which brought together members from political parties, security services, EC, media, religious bodies, traditional authorities, state institutions, and civil society groups, took place at the District Assembly Hall, Atimpoku, at 10.10 am.

Mr. Alexander Boakye Yiadom (NCCE District Director), in his welcome note, informed members that the IPDC is established as a proactive measure to mitigate electoral offences and conflicts for a peaceful general election.

In his speech, he addressed the Committee on the need to do away with money in politics, misinformation, and disinformation.

“Receiving money from donors to support political campaigns and advertisement, or offering money or gifts to voters will not only undermine the principles of free and fair elections but also distort representation and accountability”, he stated.

Mr. Mumuni Watara, the EC District Officer, engaged members through some electoral offences that led to disruptions and violence and appealed to the Committee to take it up to their larger platforms and advise their members.

Among the things he spoke about include gerrymandering (creating new electoral areas to favour one party), impersonation, forgery, use of abusive language, and defacing of posters, among others.

“The Asuogyaman district was on top with over 400 challenge cases and more than 40 challenge cases during the voter registration and exhibition exercises, respectively. It is therefore not surprising that this district has been flagged as a hotspot," he said.

In his address, the District Police Commander, Supt. David Kofi Kumah, made a passionate request for the itinerary of all the political parties to prevent clashes during this campaign period. He added that notifying the Police about your activities only protects you, the general public and properties, thereby the need to adhere to the Public Order Act.

Gracing the program, Mrs. Juliet Simpey (NCCE Regional Office) in her remarks after swearing in the new executives of the IPDC applauded members for honouring the invitation and appealed to the Committee to enhance sensitization on the peace campaign, taking reference from the address by the EC District Officer.

“Mr. Chairman, I will plead your indulgence to assist the NCCE, which has established this Committee to have more stakeholder engagements on peace for a free, fair, and peaceful upcoming general elections”, she stated.

The Committee elected Rev. Richard Dzakpasu (Chairman), Imam Ishmeal (Vice-chair) and Alexander Boakye Yiadom (Secretary).

Source: ghanawebplus