The Eastern Regional Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and certain Senior High School (SHS) headmasters in Koforidua for allegedly busing students dressed in NPP branded T-shirts to a rally held at the Koforidua Jackson Park on Saturday.
The rally, which featured Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, marked the climax of the NPP’s New Juaben South constituency campaign.
Pictures of the huge crowd flooded social media with the NPP touting their solid support in New Juaben South.
However, Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Eastern Regional Youth Organizer, Richard Etornam Nyarko, condemned the practice, claiming that schools such as Oti Boateng SHS, New Juaben SHS, and Pentecost SHS had allowed their students to be transported, sometimes late at night, to attend the political rally.
“This act is a clear violation of Ghana Education Service (GES) rules and guidelines,” Richard Etornam Nyarko stated, urging headmasters to desist from such practices or face consequences.
Richard Nyarko described the alleged actions as a misuse of educational resources for political gain and warned that the NDC youth would hold those responsible accountable.
“We stand at a pivotal moment as we approach December 7, 2024, a date symbolic of our second independence. It is imperative that all Ghanaians, especially the youth, resist attempts to undermine our democracy,” he added.
In response to these developments, the NDC’s Eastern Regional Youth Wing announced plans for a symbolic walk and vigil in Koforidua under the theme YouthEyeRed to express their commitment to a new political direction.
The Regional Youth Organizer,Richard Nyarko stressed that the urgent need to address key challenges such as unemployment, corruption, and economic instability.
“Research and polls confirm the failure of this administration. Even the government’s own National Security Strategy identifies youth unemployment as a threat to national security,” he noted.
Ballot Protection Initiative
As part of the NDC’s strategy for the upcoming elections, the Regional Youth Organizer urged youth organizers at the constituency and branch levels to take on the role of “Ballot Box Protectors”.
“Election victories are secured at the polling stations, not in courtrooms,” he emphasized, citing the Supreme Court’s rulings in the 2012 and 2020 election petitions. “We will ensure transparency and integrity through the ‘Protect Ballot Boxes’ initiative, which will maintain vigilance from the opening of polling stations to the declaration of results.”
Richard Etornam Nyarko also raised concerns about reported irregularities, including broken seals on ballot boxes and partisan appointments within the Electoral Commission (EC).
He called on party members to remain at polling stations until the final ballot is counted, stating that no law prohibits citizens from monitoring the electoral process.
He said “We have heard misguided advice suggesting that citizens should go home after casting their votes. Let us be clear: there is no law—neither C.I. 97, C.I. 127 nor the 1992 Constitution—that supports this notion. Every citizen has the right to remain vigilant, to monitor the electoral process until the very last ballot is counted”.
Concluding his address, Nyarko rallied the youth, saying, “The time for change is now. Together, we will reclaim our independence and restore hope for every Ghanaian youth.”
The NPP and the implicated headmasters are yet to respond to the allegations.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
