The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has disqualified Philip Appiah Kubi, the replacement flagbearer for the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), due to errors and alleged irregularities discovered in his nomination documents.
EC Chair Jean Mensa made this announcement during a press conference on Tuesday, 12 November, emphasising that the disqualification followed a careful review of the party’s submission.
Jean Mensa noted that although the EC provided the GFP with an opportunity to rectify the issues, certain irregularities could not be ignored.
Philip Appiah Kubi during the submission of nomination form
Despite the GFP’s efforts to address some of the discrepancies, Madam Mensa explained that elements of Mr Kubi’s documentation were found to be “illegitimate” under the nation’s electoral laws, leading to his disqualification from the upcoming election.
This development has added further complications for the GFP, which had already faced a significant setback with the sudden passing of its founding leader and initial flagbearer, Akua Donkor, on 15 October.
Her death left the party in need of a new candidate, and in response, the EC granted the GFP a 10-day extension to nominate a replacement, culminating in Mr Kubi’s selection.
Upon reviewing Mr Kubi’s submission, however, the EC identified several issues that extended beyond mere clerical errors.
Jean Mensa clarified that the EC is bound by its duty to ensure electoral integrity, and therefore could not accept documents with substantial legal issues, regardless of the GFP’s efforts to amend them.
The EC Chair reiterated the Commission’s commitment to a transparent and lawful electoral process, underscoring that adherence to these principles is crucial to maintaining public trust.
Wow! Kind hearted Obidombie Kwabena Asamoah, DCEO MASLOC delivers on NPP Ashanti Region youth request for megaphones to intensify door to door campaign.
Papa thank you for always responding to our requests.
IT IS POSSIBLE 🇳🇱🇳🇱🇳🇱
Mr George Opoku Amponsah(left) receiving the donation from Obidombie Kwabena Asamoah, DCEO MASLOC
The General Overseer of the Caravan of Prayer Outreach Ministry at Gyinyase in the Asokwa Constituency of Ashanti, Apostle Johnson Ackah Braimah, has implored all Ghanaians to accept peace as the most valuable virtue in human lives.
He said there is nothing that we can do to attain positive results if peace is not valued and considered.
In his message, Apostle Braimah said Ghanaians should take peace as a personal one by making sure that it is preached in our homes, schools, churches, mosques, workplaces, among others.
He said this year’s general election would be violence-free because the hands of the Almighty God are on Ghana.
He explained that inasmuch as God is interceding on our behalf spiritually, we must also do what is expected of us by preaching peace to whoever we encounter at any place at any time.
Aps.Johnson Ackah Braimah
He said though there had been continuous preaching of peace on radio and television aimed at ensuring peace but the right medium to preach peace is when you meet the person one-on-one.
According to Apostle Braimah, engaging in this strategy is very vital as the person would understand your language well and absorb the lesson.
“From now to the time we declare the winner of this year’s general election, we must sleep, eat, drink, bathe and wake up with peace,” he stressed.
According to him, from now to December 7, most of his preachings would be dedicated to the preaching of peace as it is the only foundation to progress and development.
According to him, if an individual understands peace, he or she will not create election-related offences, but rather live in harmony with the rest of the community.
There was a big jubilation among the residents of Kadue in the Pru East District of the Bono East Region during this year’s annual celebration of Kadue Yam Festival.
The Kadue streets were packed to capacity to show their full support to the Chief of the town, Nana Kwaku Lantah V.
It would be recalled that a certain chief
allegedly made an announcement that he had destooled Kaduehene and replaced him with someone.
At the celebration of the event, the residents affirmed their unflinching support to Kaduehene through singing and dancing.
They complained bitterly that chieftaincy and its related matters are some of the issues that create violence in the country. The residents, therefore, urged all stakeholders to desist from all acts that could likely create tension in the area.
Nana Kwaku Lantah V.
On his part, Nana Kwaku Lantah V thanked the residents for their support.
“I’m overwhelmed looking at the numbers here and I want to assure you that I will do everything within my capacity to do something to commensurate with this support,” he said.
He used the encounter to appeal to his people to embrace peace since it is the pivot in every development.
He also charged them to take active participation in this year’s general election to choose the leaders for the country.
He said this year’s election is not about violence and insults, but rather they should look for the political party and presidential candidate whose policies, they think, can transform their lives.
A High Court in Sekondi has lifted the injunction placed on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Amenfi Central, Joana Gyan Cudjoe.
The injunction had previously barred Madam Cudjoe from contesting in the upcoming parliamentary election.
Today’s ruling follows an earlier adjournment of the case, in which the NDC requested that the court lift the injunction on its candidate and dismiss the substantive disqualification.
Joana Gyan Cudjoe
This came weeks after the dismissal of an earlier application by an Accra High Court, in which the NDC sought to restrain the EC from printing ballots and the notice of poll, in defense of Cudjoe’s eligibility.
The latest development means the Commission can go ahead to print ballot papers and logistics with the inclusion of Joana Cudjoe’s name.Source: Kenneth Awotwe Darko
Ashanti NPP Organiser urges clergy to advise Mahama to desist from insults before praying for him
The Ashanti Regional Organiser for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Francis Adomako, has chastised former President John Mahama for indulging in politics of insults instead of focusing on issues-based campaign ahead of the 7th December polls.
Dr.Francis Adomako aka Francois
He has, therefore, called on the clergy, especially those who are going to meet and pray for Mr. Mahama on Monday, 11th November 2024, in Kumasi, to rather take more time to advise him to refrain from his campaign of insults because the insults are becoming too many.
This appeal by Dr. Adomako, who is also the Dean of all Regional Organisers, follows the announcement by Mr. Mahama to meet some clergy men to seek their prayers in Kumasi.
Former President John Mahama
The Ashanti NPP Organiser, who is popularly known as Francois in the political space, said “after the meeting, I’m expecting former President John Mahama to turn over a new leaf and campaign on issues, by telling Ghanaians what he can do differently to improve their well-being when voted into power.”
He reminded Mr. Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the 2024 general election is not a contest of insults, but rather it is about someone with good vision and policies to ensure accelerated development of Ghana.
Francois said he was very surprised that the NDC presidential candidate, after describing the Ghanaian clergy, imams and chiefs as a bunch of hypocrites and bootlickers of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, is now going back to the same clergy for prayers.
According to him, this shows that Mahama’s hypocrisy has no measure and that should send a strong signal to voters to be cautious of his tricks, urging them to reject him at the polls.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES
CC: INTER PARTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ( IPAC)
DATE: 10TH NOVEMBER, 2024.
*THE GHANA ARMED FORCES( GAF) SHOULD NOT BE DEPLOYED TO POLLING AND COLLATION CENTRES FOR THE 7th December 2024 GENERAL ELECTIONS EXCEPT THE GHANA POLICE.
1.The African Electoral Institute calls for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) NOT TO BE DEPLOYED in the coming general elections on 7th December 2024.
This call has become very necessary due to some of the unfortunate incidents that occurred in the 7th December 2020 general elections with the Ghana Armed Forces involvement notably in Techiman and elsewhere in the country.
2.The African Electoral Institute is of the view that the Military (GAF) should be left to play their primary role of defending the country’s territorial borders , whether by land, Sea or Air from any foreign attack or invasion.
3.The Institute views the full participation in general elections by the Military as taking them away from their core duties as stated above. Thus, bringing the military so close to their civilian counterparts has the potential to influence their way of doing things which can bring their reputation as a neutral body into question depending on which political lenses one is wearing.
Therefore, when the neutrality of the Military is brought into question, it raises national security concerns.
4.Another reason why the African Electoral Institute is suggesting that the Military should not take frontline duties especially at Polling and Collation Centers during general elections or any other elections especially at particular regions and constituencies is that, some political actors or some members of the public see their presence as intimidating and this can lead to low voter turnout ie deterring some voters from coming out to cast their ballots.
5.The Institute also believes that the active involvement of the Military during elections has the possibility to erode the trust in the electoral process, leading to disputed election outcomes and potential unrest.
We all agree that elections can only be said to be free, fair, transparent, and accountable if they are organized or conducted in accordance with democratic and civilian principles by the Electoral Commission.
6.The African Electoral Institute by issuing this statement is calling on the Electoral Commission to collaborate with the Inter Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) and all electoral management bodies including the Security Services, National Security and all political stakeholders to come together to discuss this matter further , to come out with the best way forward to make sure that some of the unfortunate incidents that took place in the 2020 general elections in which some Ghanaian voters lost their lives, never recurs come 7th December 2024.
7.Let us together allow elections to be managed and overseen by civilian authorities such as the Electoral Commission with collaborations from other electoral stakeholders, devoid of the heavy presence of the Military which is interpreted as a kind of intimidation tactics masterminded by the ruling government for unfair advantage for its candidates.
8.The AEI equally want the Ghana Police Service (GPS) who are mandated by the 1992 Constitution to be responsible for all Internal Security Operations (ISO) to move and take their rightful place come 7th December 2024.
9.In conclusion, the African Electoral Institute states emphatically that since the beginning of the fourth Republic in 1992, the Military has not been a core part of Ghana’s elections until 2020 general elections were the Military was involved and precious lives lost.
The African Electoral Institute hereby re-emphasis that the fundamental principle of democratic elections is that they should be conducted in a civilian-led manner because, the involvement of the military in elections can lead to voter intimidation, and voter suppression, thereby undermining the integrity and credibility of a mere civil process which must reflect the will of the people.
-END-
SIGNED
Joshua Adjin-Tettey Director of Communications and External Relations
0540904550
Engr. Judge Hasford Quartey
*Deputy Director of Communications and External Relations.
0547510174
Ex. WO1 Alhaji Yussif Mahamah
*Electoral Security Department
0243311965
About Us:
African Electoral Institute ( AEI) is a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) founded to deliver sustainable electoral solutions to Emerging and Developed Democracies to strengthen, augment, and build electoral stakeholders capacity and participation on electoral issues through electoral education on voter’s rights and freedom, electoral research, election monitoring, election observation, election results collation, election security awareness and training of polling agents and elections directors underscoring the fact that “elections are won at the polling stations’’ and the participation of all identifiable electoral stakeholders in an electoral process such as Political Parties, Governmental Institutions, underpinning transparency and accountability for a free, fair, and credible elections in Africa and the wider world.
We are on: africanelectoralinstitute.com
X: @AFRICAN ELECTORA
Lindedin: African_Electoral_ Institute
PRESS RELEASE*(To welcome Alhaji Bawumia to Oforikrom Constituency)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07/11/2024
The Shameful Neglect of Oforikrom Constituency in the Ashanti Region by the NPP Government: Residents Demand Accountability and Action on Broken Promises
Oforikrom, Ashanti Region, Ghana — The people of Oforikrom Constituency in the Ashanti Region are fed up with the appalling neglect they’ve suffered under the failed leadership of the NPP government, led by Prez. Akuffo Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Despite making repeated promises to this constituency, the NPP has abandoned its commitments and shown nothing but disdain for the very communities that have historically supported them.
For over seven years, the people of Oforikrom have been waiting for the government’s promises to materialize. But what do we see? An incomplete, abandoned CHPS compound in Kentinkrono that has now become a haven for criminals and a risk to public safety. Our people have been left to fend for themselves without this vital healthcare facility, abandoned by a government that has shown itself to be nothing more than a failure. Where is the accountability?
And what about the infamous “$1 million per constituency” that was promised? Where is our $8 million? It’s certainly not here in Oforikrom. Just like the countless promises that have been made, this one too has vanished into thin air, a mirage that the NPP uses only to lure votes and then promptly forgets.
One only has to look around to see the mess the NPP has left behind. The Oforikrom Interchange—a project that Prez. Akuffo Addo and Dr. Bawumia themselves swore to deliver—remains nothing but another broken promise, leaving our roads clogged and our residents dealing with unsafe conditions. And we haven’t even begun to address the abandoned municipal assembly building at Emena, left incomplete and forgotten, an eyesore and an insult to our community.
The government’s lack of basic responsibility is nowhere more evident than in its failure to fix the Opoku Transport traffic light, a simple issue that has been ignored, causing countless accidents and loss of lives. The neglect extends to our streets—Akosuaku to Zormelo Down, Bomso Gari factory bridge,Gariba streets—all have been left to rot for over seven years. These streets are crumbling, our infrastructure is in tatters, and this government has done nothing but turn its back on us.
Meanwhile, youth unemployment is skyrocketing, becoming a clear national security threat. The NPP has completely abandoned our young people, leaving them without jobs, without opportunities, and without hope. Is this the legacy of a government that claims to prioritize development?
For Dr. Bawumia to now return to Oforikrom Constituency to campaign is an insult beyond words. He has the audacity to ask for our votes while failing, time and again, to deliver on his promises. Ghanaians remember Bawumia’s shocking statement that he would “choose a Ghana Card over 1,000 interchanges.” Well, it’s abundantly clear that Oforikrom Constituency was never even a consideration in his “priorities.” Bawumia has proven that he values symbolism over substance, leaving us with no roads, no projects, no employment, and no hope.
The people of Oforikrom Constituency have had enough. We refuse to support a government that lies to our faces and then abandons us. We will not be swayed by the hollow words of a failed Vice President who has turned his back on us, only to return now for votes. The NPP has taken our loyalty for granted, delivering nothing but empty promises, neglected projects, and utter disregard for the well-being of Oforikrom Constituency
In conclusion, we cannot—and will not—cast our votes for a Vice President who has not only been instrumental in ruining the livelihoods of our people but who now shamefully deflects his own incompetence by blaming his boss. We refuse to support a man whose family’s legacy has contributed to the collapse of Ghana Cocoa Board, once the pride of our nation. As the Akan proverb says, “Okoto nnwo anoma”—a crab does not give birth to a bird. We will not be fooled by false promises or false leaders.
Come Election Day, the people of Oforikrom will make their voices heard and vote out a government that has done nothing but fail us.
End of Release
Contact
Jerry James Sukah(Papa Jay)
NDC Oforikrom Constituency Communications Officer
(0553341679)
AFRICAN ELECTORAL INSTITUTE (AEI) CALLS ON ELECTORAL COMMISSION ( EC) TO ADDRESS
CONCERNS ABOUT THE OMITTED STATISTICS IN THE FINAL VOTER’S REGISTER FOR THE 2024 ELECTIONS
The African Electoral Institute (AEI) deems
the Electoral Commission’s decision to release the voter register to political parties without accompanying statistics as a serious omission and has the potential for the manipulation of the voters register.
This to the African Electoral Institute is a lack of enough transparency and can create a technical loophole that can be exploited and has the potential to undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
It’s crucial that the Electoral Commission addresses this issue promptly to maintain public trust and confidence in the democratic process.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana is responsible for ensuring transparency, fairness, and integrity in the country’s electoral process.
It is, therefore, the EC’S duty to provide vital holistic information on the voter registration, such as the breakdown of the statistics in the form of:
1. Missing voters list
2. Proxy list
3. Gender statistics
4. Absentee voter list
5. National voter statistics and
6. Regional and Constituency voter statistics.
It is crucial that the Electoral Commission addresses this issue promptly to ensure the trust and confidence of the electorate.
In conclusion, the African Electoral Institute is calling on Ghana’s Electoral Commission to prioritise transparency, accountability, and fairness to prevent any attempts to manipulate the outcome of the elections by stating the statistics that should accompany the 2024 voters register and re-submit same to the political parties on time.
SIGNED
Joshua Adjin-Tettey
*Director of Communications and External Relations
0540904550
Engr. Judge Hasford Quartey
Deputy Director of Communications and External Relations.
0547510174
About Us:
African Electoral Institute ( AEI) is a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) founded to deliver sustainable electoral solutions to Emerging and Developed Democracies to strengthen, augment, and build electoral stakeholders capacity and participation on electoral issues through electoral education on voter’s rights and freedom, electoral research, election monitoring, election observation, election results collation, election security awareness and training of polling agents and elections directors underscoring the fact that “elections are won at the polling stations’’ and the participation of all identifiable electoral stakeholders in an electoral process such as Political Parties, Governmental Institutions, underpinning transparency and accountability for a free, fair, and credible elections in Africa and the wider world.
We are on: africanelectoralinstitute.com
X: @AFRICAN ELECTORA
Lindedin: African_Electoral_ Institute
The Electoral Commission has assured Ghanaians and all stakeholders that the Certified Voters Register for Election 2024 is robust and credible.
The Commission on Wednesday, 6th November, 2024 provided all registered political parties and Independent Presidential Candidates with the soft copies of the Certified Voters Register, in accordance with Sub-Regulation 4 of Regulation 27 of Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 91.
Releasing the Certified Voters Register on Wednesday was also in fulfilment of the pledge the Commission made to the Political Parties during the last IPAC Meeting on the 15th of October, 2024, that it would release the Certified Voters Register within the first week of November 2024.
Following the release of the Certified Voters Register, the Commission assured all Stakeholders that the Register is robust and credible and therefore urged the Public to support the Commission to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections in December 2024.
