The National Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joshua Hamidu Akamba led a delegation of national and regional executives to the Salaga South Constituency on Thursday 4th June, 2020 as part of a two-day tour of the Savannah region.

The delegation included; Mr Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, National Director of Elections, Hajia Mariam Sinare, a Former National Women’s Organiser, Alhaji Imoro Seidu, Savannah regional Chairman, Hon. Salisu Be -Awuribe, Savannah regional Secretary, Alhaji Inusah Mahama, Savannah regional Youth Organizer, Hon Ewuntomah Abdul Mumin, Savannah regional Zongo caucus coordinator, Mr. Malik Basintale, Savannah regional Communication Officer, Hajia Zenabu Awudu, Savannah regional Women’s Organiser, Hon Ali Kassim, Savannah regional Treasurer, Mr R.A. Jalil, Deputy Savannah Regional Communication Officer and many others.

Speaking to the people of Salaga South Constituency, Mr Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah said their mission was to engage and explain to the people why the NDC, other political parties and civil society groups are opposing the compilation of a new voter’s register by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the 2020 general elections. Hon. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah explained that, the decision by the Electoral Commission to use the Ghana card and Ghanaian passport as the only primary documents for the compilation of a new voter’s register is meant to deliberately disenfranchise over one million Ghanaians especially in the Northern part of the country which includes the Savannah region.

Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah explained that, the NDC appreciates and acknowledges their efforts and contributions towards the peaceful democracy Ghana is currently enjoying and that informed their decision to travel down to the various regions to speak to them to always speak out because the current posturing of the Electoral Commission boss is worrying and thus called on the chiefs, Imams, Mallams, the clergy, Non-Govermental Organisations, Opinion leaders, women and youth groups and other individuals to speak out on the matter for the safety of our dear country Ghana.

“We shouldn’t keep quiet for the country to be plunged into chaos because of someone’s selfish political interest. We have citizens to protect and a country to build”; He stressed

He added that, there is nothing wrong with the old voter’s register because it was the same register that was used to conduct the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections which gave birth to Former President John Dramani Mahama, it was the same register that was used to conduct the 2016 presidential and parliamentary Elections which produced President Nana Akuffo and it was the same voter’s register that was used to conduct the district assembly elections as well as the referendum that led to the creation of the six regions.

Hon Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, therefore, wondered why Ghana needed a new register for the December presidential and parliamentary elections and said the decision to compile a new voter’s register was a needless, wasteful and absurd decision by the Electoral Commission and it must be resisted with at all cost.

Mr Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah further explained that, per their data available to the NDC and other stakeholders, a lot of people within the Savannah region couldn’t register to acquire the Ghana card and others that were able to register couldn’t have access to collect their cards so if they keep quiet and allow the EC to proceed with the compilation of a new voter’s register, a lot of them will not be able to register which means they cannot vote during the December 7th presidential and parliamentary elections.

Mr Ankrah implored the Chiefs, Imams, the Clergy and other opinion leaders in the Salaga South Constituency to speak up and resist the blatant attempt by the EC to disenfranchise their mother and kin.

Other dignitaries who participated in the tour included Hajia Zuwera Ibrahimah, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for the December elections, Mr. Salifu Haruna, the Salaga South constituency Chairman, Alhaji Awudu Tanko Abaa, Salaga South Constituency Vice Chairman, Alhaji Yussif Hairat, Constituency Secretary and many others.