Ransford Gyampo, a professor at the University of Ghana, has stated that the concept of using the GhanaCard as the sole document for voter registration prior to the general elections in 2024 is excellent. However, he stated that there are innumerable obstacles.
In advance of the general elections in 2024, the Electoral Commission (EC) has proposed a Constitutional Instrument (CI) that would make the Ghana Card the only form of identification required for voter registration.
However, this idea has been rejected by the minority.
Representatives from the Electoral Commission and the National Identification Authority (NIA), who appeared to brief the House on the proposed constitutional instrument, were rejected by opposition lawmakers on Thursday, February 23.
Prof. Gyampo wrote, "Great ideas behind the use of the Ghana Card as source document for registration of voters notwithstanding, there are imponderable challenges" in a review of the topic. I dare say that now is not the time to introduce such an idea due to the difficulties. Before he passed away, my father advised me that a bad thing is a good thing done at the wrong time, and the timing is off.
Why does the timing not work? The Electoral Commission has been unable to reach a consensus on this crucial issue, which will have an impact on how political parties fare in the 2024 General Elections. There would be chaos and implosion if there was no agreement on the EC's decision. When Dr. Afari-Gyan tried to reach a consensus among the major political players on major decisions that could have thrown the country into chaos if not handled well, she was prudent and wise. For instance, the Representation of the Peoples' Amendment Law was introduced by President Kufuor in 2006. Through demonstrations, petitions, and other means, Civil Society and numerous Pro-Democracy Forces fought the bill. However, the bill was approved by the NPP majority and signed into law the following day by the President. However, Dr. Afari-Gyan took a very wise and patriotic stance and refused to put the law into effect as long as there was still a lack of agreement among the major political actors. He was concerned that the implementation of ROPAL might result in serious political conflict if there was no consensus. Even though Kufuor quickly signed the ROPAL into law, it has not yet been put into action. According to what he wrote in a letter, "I respectfully urge the current EC bosses to copy from best practices as the Bible tells us in 3rd John 11a."
The entire article can be found here: Some Thoughts on the Electoral Commission's Attempt to Introduce a New Constitutional Instrument (CI) to Make the Ghana Card the Only Source Document for Voter Registration Demonstrate proof that the polls in 2020 were rigged—#FixingThe Country to Mahama 1. The idea of creating a Ghana Card or National Identification Card to address our problem of having too many identification documents and cards is admirable and must be supported by everyone. Fortunately, it appears that elite members of all parties agree on this issue. Hospital ID Cards, SSNIT Cards, Staff ID Cards, Passports, Voters ID Cards, Driver's Licenses, and National Health Insurance Cards are among the many identity cards that we frequently carry in excess. The calls for synchronization of all of our identities into one card, the Ghana Card, are wise because they tend to cause unnecessary identity crises for all of us as individuals and as a people.
2. The Electoral Commission's decision to only use the Ghana Card as the source document for voter registration is also great if there is a genuine need to synchronize all identities into a single card. This makes it easier for all of us to help make the call for synchronized identities a reality.
3. Despite the great ideas behind using the Ghana Card as a source document for voter registration, there are numerous obstacles. I dare say that now is not the time to introduce such an idea due to the difficulties. Before he passed away, my father advised me that a bad thing is a good thing done at the wrong time, and the timing is off.
4. How come the timing is off? The Electoral Commission has been unable to reach a consensus on this crucial issue, which will have an impact on how political parties fare in the 2024 General Elections. There would be chaos and implosion if there was no agreement on the EC's decision. When Dr. Afari-Gyan tried to reach a consensus among the major political players on major decisions that could have thrown the country into chaos if not handled well, she was prudent and wise. For instance, the Representation of the Peoples' Amendment Law was introduced by President Kufuor in 2006. Through demonstrations, petitions, and other means, Civil Society and numerous Pro-Democracy Forces fought the bill. However, the bill was approved by the NPP majority and signed into law the following day by the President. However, Dr. Afari-Gyan took a very wise and patriotic stance and refused to put the law into effect as long as there was still a lack of agreement among the major political actors. He was concerned that the implementation of ROPAL might result in serious political conflict if there was no consensus. Even though Kufuor quickly signed the ROPAL into law, it has not yet been put into action. In accordance with what the Bible tells us in 3rd John 11a, I respectfully urge the current bosses at EC to follow best practices.
In addition, even the most pious of their intentions may be interpreted as gifts from the Greeks and be taken with great trepidation until both the NIA and the EC work consciously to address the challenge posed by the main opposition party. Someone with a Ghana Card can guarantee that they will receive one under the current arrangement. However, possessing a Ghana Card does not guarantee voter registration. Second, in order to avoid bureaucratic bottlenecks, obtaining a Ghana Card requires a payment of 250 cedis, a move that undermines the idea of universal adult suffrage. Additionally, it is alleged that the distribution of equipment for the Ghana Card production is biased against the opposition and in favor of the ruling party's strongholds. Again, the NIA had approximatley 17 million people in its custody as of 2020. A significant portion of this number are minors and foreigners. Additionally, the NIA is unable to pay approximately 126 million dollars to obtain Ghana Cards for its owners, so approximately 3.5 million of these individuals still do not have them. Furthermore, the EC must be able to update its register annually, but it has not done so since 2021. In addition, it would be demoralizing, disenfranchising, and democratically callous to make poor people in the hinterlands search for nonexistent resources in order to travel only to the district capital offices of the EC to register as voters.
6. One has no choice but to ask why the EC will not first work to deal with the issues that also raises serious trust deficits, but would want to pretend all is well and insist on making the Ghana Card (whose continuous production is not guaranteed because of lack of resources) the only source document for voter registration. These challenges include the NIA's own reported lack of adequate resources to function well in printing the cards of over 3.5 million people who are already registered and in producing additional Ghana Cards. Until we are certain that a certain critical mass of the voting populace across all regions and districts has been able to secure their Ghana Cards, why can't the EC allow both the use of the Ghana Card and other source documents for registration for the next two or three elections?
I have been reliably informed yesterday, February 23, 2023, that during the sitting of Parliament's Committee of the Whole, when the gallery was cleared and there was no media coverage, a fight that was more deadly than the one that led to the selection of the Speaker occurred in Parliament when the aforementioned topics were discussed. Due to the lack of media coverage of the near-brawl, many Ghanaians have been kept in the dark, and lawmakers have decided to keep quiet about it. The fewer things said about footsoldiers outside of parliament, the better, if Honorable Members can fight freely on issues like these.
8. However, as Ghanaians, we must uphold our democratic gains and cherish our peace.
We cannot allow the E.C. or any other state institution to destabilize Ghana. We must not allow any state institution's indiscretions to create a praetorian situation that could tempt others who have no business in government to consider striking to restore our peace and democratic gains. I dare say that the EC is not qualified to introduce the current CI because its implementation may likely plunge Ghana into conflict. If simple steps to consensus building on a major Constitutional Instrument that would have a significant impact on the electoral fortunes of political parties cannot be taken, then the EC is not qualified to introduce the CI.
9. However, the opposition must not be overly recalcitrant if the EC and the NIA decide to take the necessary steps toward reaching a consensus on the aforementioned issues. According to Aristotle, the only place where we can talk about problems and find solutions is the state. Therefore, the key stakeholders should have a dialogue with the state institutions and not be overly recalcitrant. Let us carry out these actions to preserve our peace and prevent a relapse into democracy.
Post a Comment