A deputy commissioner at the Electoral Commission of Ghana Dr Bossman Asare has described concerns over the recent clash between the chair person of the commission Jean Mensa and NDC general secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia as ‘much ado about nothing’.
According to him, such verbal exchanges are common during inter-party advisory committee (IPAC) meetings at the EC.
The EC boss and Mr. Nketia were involved a heated verbal exchanges during the last IPAC meetings, a leaked tape revealed. The development has sparked concerns over the nature of the relationship between the opposition party and the commission going into the 2020 polls.
Commenting on the development, the former Legon lecturer said the altercation is nothing for Ghanaians to worry about.
“In my view what transpired at IPAC cannot be described as an incident, hence, the Chairperson’s response that no incident happened at IPAC. Her answer that no incident occurred was in no way intended to cover up. In her view and that of the Commission this was not a matter that warranted the attention it had received in the media landscape. Specifically, the Chairperson’s call to the General Secretary of the NDC to stop disrupting the meeting cannot be described as an incident or unusual occurrence to necessitate the interest it has attracted.
“IPAC meetings are routinely characterized by that. A listen to the said recording would reveal other participants calling their counterparts to order for interrupting their contributions and interventions. Why are we
not taking issues with that?”
He concluded: “Over the last seven months, the EC has taken pains to create a civil and humane atmosphere at IPAC meetings and accommodate all views. Yet despite how hard we try, certain individuals are bent on carrying out an agenda targeted at maligning the intergrity and credibility of the Chairperson, the Deputies and the Commission as a whole. This is becoming a pattern and points to a clear agenda to cause disaffection for the Chairperson, the Deputies and the Commission. For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission remains committed to delivering transparent, credible and fair elections. We remain open to constructive criticisms and feedback that will advance the course of democracy in our dear country. We invite all well meaning Ghanaians to join us as we put our hands to the plow to make our country great and strong”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
