Star Ghana Foundation has held its election 2020 grants partners’ learning programme themed “Implications of COVID-19 on elections programming” with a cross section of the media in Accra.
The two-day virtual programme engaged stakeholders to deliberate and discuss issues and policies towards the upcoming December 2020 polls and how to put in place comprehensive measures towards the election in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as their preparedness to bring to the fore a peaceful and a credible, free and fair elections.
Panelists in this regard called on government through sector agencies to intensify citizenry education on the elections and address emerging issues and challenges before and after the December polls.
They, however, charged political parties to work within their manifestos and have the policies implemented to enable the electorates gain confidence and trust in the roll out of their policies ad initiatives.
Panellists expressed worry on the sharp increase of vigilantism in the political arena and consequently called on political parties to effectively and efficiently address these activities saying their presence in politics do not reflect good governance and again challenged all parties to put their acts together and find amicable way to ceased their operations.
Panellists were Dr. Bossman Eric Asare Deputy Chairperson in-charge corporate services at the Electoral Commission, DCOP Sayibu Gariba of the Ghana Police Service, Dr. Immrana Mohammed, Deputy Director for the National Commission for Civic Education and Mr. George Amoo, Executive Secretary of National Peace Council.
In his address, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare said frantic preparations have been put in place to ensure that all registration centers across the country will be supplied with the needed PPEs and have assigned Covid-19 Ambassadors at each polling station as part of the move to observe safety protocols.
According to him, polling stations with a total of 700 electorates will be split into two i.e. A & B to maintain social distancing and was quick to remind that due to the hard work of the commission, there was no recorded case of Covid-19 during the registration exercise.
The EC have identified hot spots at some registration centers hence security will be beefed up since the Commission is working closely with the Ghana Police Service,” he added.
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Throwing more light on the printing of electoral materials, the E.C Boss said all political party representatives will be present at the venue and have further engaged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and faith based organisations of the E.C preparedness towards the election.
George Amoo said his outfits working with the security agencies to ensure a free and fair elections as well as the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) for media reportage across the country.
Dr. Immrana Mohammed said the electorates have been well sensitized on the upcoming December polls devoid of any political disturbances.
The Executive Director of Star Ghana Foundation, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko Amidu in an interview urged all party actors to exhibit transparency towards the elections and therefore called on them to work hard towards a free and fair election.
Source: Ben LARYEA