By: tntnewspapergh.com

The Ashanti Regional Organiser for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Francis Adomako, has cautioned Ghanaians to ignore the evil agenda of members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.

Dr. Adomako, who is popularly known as Francois, accused especially former President John Mahama and Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the NDC, of displaying double standard or hypocrisy of the highest order as far as the work of the EC is concerned.

According to Francois, the NDC flagbearer and the leadership of the party led by Asiedu Nketia, who told the whole world that the EC was the most credible institution ahead of the 2016 general election, were only preparing the minds of their supporters for an imminent defeat awaiting them on December 7.

Dr.Francis Adomako aka Francois

The Ashanti NPP Organiser said the NDC members had decided to raise a series of allegations against the EC in less than three months to the polls in order to blame their defeat on the Commission.

Dr. Adomako’s comments follow a nationwide demonstration by the NDC on Tuesday, 17th September 2024, dubbed: “Enough is Enough”.

Mr.John Mahama,2024 NDC Flagbearer

He said both former President Mahama and Asiedu Nketia were on records to have said the EC was a credible institution when some political parties raised some concerns about the activities of the Commission prior to the 2016 general election.

Mr.Johnson Aseidu Nketia,NDC National Chairman

“What has suddenly changed their beliefs in the Commission? They are having evil agenda against the Jean Mensa-led EC. Besides, they’re anticipating a humiliating defeat ahead of them,” he said.

He made reference to a statement made in 2016 by the then President of Ghana, who is now the 2024 flagbearer of the party, which was reported by Kwame Asare Boadu of the ‘Daily Graphic’ and published on the paper’s online on Apr – 04 – 2016 , 09:06.

The article is reproduced below:

Leave EC to do its work – President admonishes political parties

President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to political parties to give the Electoral Commission (EC) the peace to do its work.

He said demonstrations against the EC could negatively affect the country’s democratic credentials and so any party with concerns over the electoral process must use the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) for redress.

President Mahama made the call when he joined Tijaniyya Muslims in Ghana and others from some parts of West Africa to observe Mawlid, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

The exact date of his birth is, however, unclear, a situation that has led Sunni and Shia Muslims to observe Mawlid on different days.

The celebration started from about 11 p.m. last Saturday and went on till about 3 a.m. yesterday.

Muslim leaders, including the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, were in attendance.

Also present were government officials and the running mate of the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Constitutional provision

President Mahama said the 1992 Constitution guaranteed the independence of the EC, a fact which must be respected by all.

Francois,also made reference to the statement by Mr.Johnson Aseidu Nketia,the then General Secretary of NDC,who is currently the National Chairman published by myjoyonline com.dated 12rh August,2016,headlined “If you believe EC has lost credibility,you have a problem-Aseidu Nketia”.
If you believe EC has lost Credibility, you have a Problem – Asiedu Nketia in 2016

12-Aug-2016

NDC General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia has rejected criticisms that the Electoral Commission is not credible, pointing out that the Commission has unquestionable institutional memory and experience.

He is at a loss as to why the opposition should raise questions about the EC’s credibility although its seven-member board has been the same since 2004 with the exception of two new appointments.

President John Mahama appointed Charlotte Osei as the chairperson in June 2015, a historic first for a female chairperson.

The first female Deputy Chairman of the Commission Georgina Opoku Amankwa was also appointed by President John Mahama in July 2013 to replace Sarfo-Kantanka who had served for about 20 years.

The opposition has been persistent in criticising the Charlotte Osei-led Electoral Commission. They say she favours the governing NDC.

But finding this claim bemusing, Asiedu Nketia said under president John Agyekum Kufuor, four commissioners were appointed.

“Heaven did not break lose” he said.

According to him, two of the four members Mrs. Paulina Adobea Dadzawa, and a Management Consultant Ebenezer Aggrey Fynn are administrators.

The other two are Nana Amba Eyiiba I, Efutuhemaa and Eunice Akweley Roberts were all appointed by President Kufuor in February 2004.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia also known as ‘General Mosquito’ noted that despite the four appointments made by Kufuor, it did not stop the EC from discharging their duties professionally.

He said despite Kufuor’s appointments the Commission still declared the NDC candidate John Evans Atta Mills as winner of the December 2008 general elections.

Going further into history, Asiedu Nketia said all seven members of the board were appointed by President Jerry John Rawlings when it was first constituted in 1992.

Yet their appointments did not prevent the EC from declaring the opposition NPP as winner of the 2000 general elections, he said.

“Heaven again did not break lose” he stressed.

Fastforwarding to 2016, Asiedu Nketia expressed surprise that “just by the changing of one person… suddenly the commission has lost its credibility”
He said if any person believes this claim “then you have a problem”.

The facts however show, the NDC has made three appointments to the Electoral Commission since it was elected in 2009.

Deputy Chairman Sulley Amadu was appointed by John Evans Atta Mills following the retirement of David Kangah who had served in that capacity for 19 years.

President Mahama followed up with two other appointments, Georgina Opoku Amankwa and the current chairperson, Charlotte Osei.

Source: myjoyonline.com