By: Isaac Amoah/tntnewspapergh.com
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana chaired by Mrs Jean Mensa is fully committed to ensuring free, fair and transparent elections to ensure that anyone who will be declared winner will merit it whilst the losers will accept defeat honourably.
Mr.Osei Nsiah, Ashanti Regional EC Director speaking at the Forum
The Ashanti Regional Director of the Commission, Mr. Osei Nsiah, who gave the assurance, said the EC desired that Ghana’s peace is kept intact before, during and after Saturday, 7th December 2024, general election.
Mr. Nsiah gave the assurance at a day’s “Media Forum for Election 2024” organised by the Ashanti Regional Media Advisory Committee (ARMAC) of the National Media Commission (NMC) held at Longford Event Centre at Odeneho-Kwadaso on Tuesday, 5th November 2024.
Mr.Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, NMC Chairman and other dignitaries
The purpose of the forum was to equip participants to combat issues such as disinformation, misinformation, fake news, hate speech, etc. ahead of the December polls.
According to the Ashanti Regional EC boss, the Commission has nothing to hide and has always involved all major stakeholders, especially the contesting political parties in all the processes. He, therefore, entreated all Ghanaians, especially the media, to disregard the false information about a section of politicians.
Mr. Nsiah stated unequivocally that there was no way the Commission could rig the election for any political party or candidate. Neither is it possible for anyone to inflate the printing of the ballot papers.
He, therefore, cautioned Ghanaians, especially the media, not to fall into this era of technology where anyone can just sit somewhere and print and dump supposedly EC ballot papers and call them for coverage for the reason best known to them.
He indicated that the EC is always able to track and identify foreign materials because of special serial numbers, coupled with their training.
Mr. Osei Nsiah, therefore, called for the support of the media and other stakeholders to ensure accurate reportage before, during and after the elections.
He also entreated the media across the country to study and understand the processes of the EC well so as to appreciate them and inform their readers, listeners and viewers with the rightful information.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), who doubles as the Ashanti Regional Editor of Ghanaian Times, Mr. Kingsley E. Hope, stressed the need for his colleague journalists to shun disinformation and misinformation, especially in the run-up to the December polls.
He used a number of examples to remind journalists why they should be extra vigilant in order not to fall for disinformation, misinformation and fake news. ”Let’s always double-check our information before publication,” he added.
