General News of Tuesday, 21 May 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

2024 elections: John Mahama 'reports' Akufo-Addo, EC to Duncan-Williams, others

John Mahama with Archbishop Duncan-Williams (left) and Rev. Wengam (right)

Former President John Dramani Mahama has reechoed the National Democratic Congress's (NDC) concern about the calibre of some persons serving as Electoral Commissioners citing their lack of neutrality.

According to Mahama, the appointment of partisan personalities to serve at the highest level of the elections management body was a matter of concern and that the Christian community must add their voice in opposing same as the 2024 vote looms.

At a meeting with top clergymen and women on Monday, May 20, 2024; the former president pointed out how his successor and outgoing president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had appointed members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as commissioners.

"This is a president who is appointing politically exposed individuals to positions of trust where they are expected to be neutral and non-partisan.

"People who have served as communicators for the party, those who have been IT backstops for the party, are now Commissioners of the Electoral Commission. How can we expect them to remain neutral and fair in their conduct?" he quizzed.

"People who were patrons of TESCON on campus have now become Commissioners of the Electoral Commission. We aim to awaken the conscience of the nation to ensure that the right actions are taken so that the election outcome truly reflects the will of the people," Mahama stressed.

Citing incidents from the recently concluded Ejisu by-election and the ongoing limited voter registration process, Mahama expressed concerns about the conduct of the Electoral Commission, which he emphasized was supposed to be the referee or umpire come December 2024.

"As we approach the election, we will continue to play our part. We will raise the red flags whenever we perceive that things are not proceeding as they should. We trust that the church community will also remain vigilant and ensure that the right thing is done," he assured.

TWI NEWS

Some key clergymen at the meeting with the Ecumenical leadership of Ghana included: Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Rev. Stephen Wengam, Rev. Lawrence Tetteh, Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah.

Also present were the NDC's National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.

SARA