According to the groups, the government’s current teacher recruitment and deployment strategy has failed to address disparities between urban and rural schools, leaving as many as 68 percent of teaching vacancies unfilled in remote areas.

At a press conference in Tamale, Project Manager of School for Life, Zulgadine Amadou, said the problem has been worsened by bureaucratic delays and a rigid centralised recruitment system.

“While the existing teacher recruitment and deployment strategy is well-intentioned, the outcomes have been undesirable,” he said.

“Around 68 percent of vacancies remain in rural areas, and in four out of six districts, over 70 percent of students who took the 2020 BECE scored above grade 30, a clear indicator of poor quality education.”

Mr. Amadou added that some teachers manage to avoid rural postings altogether by seeking transfers shortly after being assigned, further undermining equitable distribution.

He called for urgent reforms to decentralise teacher recruitment, arguing that local authorities should be empowered to respond directly to the specific staffing needs of their communities.

“The current centralisation of recruitment and deployment creates unnecessary bureaucracy and delays, leaving rural schools in crisis,” he stressed.

Source: AdomOnline

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He questioned their sincerity, saying some appear to prioritise personal gain over the nation’s interest.
‎
‎ “I see the CSO people as people who follow their stomach,” he said.
‎
‎Mr Nartey argued that from the presidency to the ordinary citizen, there is little readiness to tackle the menace.

He noted that despite the destruction of water bodies and farmlands, political leaders continue to pay lip service to the issue without taking decisive action.
‎
‎The former MP also took a swipe at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) president, accusing him of inconsistency.

He recalled that while the GJA president was vocal about galamsey under the NPP administration, but said he has now turned to praise the current government instead of maintaining the same critical stance.
‎
‎Mr Nartey lamented that many individuals and organisations that once championed the fight against galamsey have gone silent.

The former MP described this sudden quietness as disappointing and a sign that many are driven by political or personal motives rather than a genuine desire to protect the environment.
‎
‎He further questioned the President’s recent comment that a state of emergency would only be declared based on advice from security agencies.

According to him, such an approach reflects a lack of urgency and seriousness.
‎
“If the president says he’ll call for a state of emergency only when there’s progress, then what progress is he talking about?” Mr Nartey asked.

Source: myjoyonline

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Organised by the Economic Governance Platform (EGP), the event recognised Dr. Medina’s vital role in fostering transparent engagement between the IMF and Ghana’s civil society throughout the process of Ghana’s current IMF-supported Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, approved in May 2023.

At the farewell lunch, Professor Godfred A. Bokpin of the University of Ghana described Dr. Medina as tolerant of divergent views.

“We have, at times, disagreed openly with the IMF, but you never closed the door on engagement. These interactions have sharpened our thinking and practice. You are leaving at a time when Ghana’s macroeconomic indicators are beginning to improve, a testament to the hard work and collaboration we have seen under your leadership,” he remarked.

Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary of GACC, also highlighted Dr. Medina’s inclusive approach, which she described as consistent with that of his predecessors.

“You sustained and built upon the solid foundation laid by your predecessor, Mr. Albert Touna Mama, ensuring that the momentum of civil society engagement with the IMF was not only maintained but also strengthened.”

The inclusion of Ghanaian civic voices in policy discussions was demonstrated when CSOs were the first stakeholders the IMF Managing Director, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, met during her first visit to Ghana last year.

Moreover, Mr. AbdulKarim Mohammed, the Coordinator of the EGP, commended the IMF representative for his openness and willingness to engage.

“As CSOs, we have enjoyed a very cordial relationship with you. Your commitment to include our perspectives in IMF-related discussions is deeply appreciated,” he said.

Mr. Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), praised Dr. Medina for consistently prioritising civil society engagement during each ECF review.

“Before every review mission, you ensured there was space for civil society dialogue, and you made deliberate efforts to connect us with other members and staff of the Fund. This approach strengthened our ability to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions,” he stated.

The outgoing IMF representative expressed gratitude for the partnership with Ghana’s civil society. “Thank you all for this kind gesture. It has been a pleasure working with you. I believe effective collaboration does not require agreement on every issue. Even in our differences, we found common ground to advance Ghana’s economic progress. I remain open to continuing these engagements, even as I move on.”

The lunch not only celebrated a successful working relationship but also reaffirmed the importance of ongoing dialogue between international financial institutions and local stakeholders.

The farewell lunch was attended by prominent figures from Ghana’s civil society and academia, including Dr. Kojo Asante, Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana); Mr. Benjamin Boakye, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP); Mrs. Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director of Transparency International Ghana (TI Ghana).

Others were Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC); Dr. Steve Manteaw, Chairman of the Civil Society Platform on Oil and Gas (CSPOG). Mr. AbdulKarim Mohammed and Mr. Ebenezer Otu Okley, Coordinator and Programmes Officer of the EGP, respectively, facilitated the event.

Source; Albert Kuzor

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He expressed frustration over what he perceives as a collapse in momentum: “We are wasting our time and energy; we can’t fight galamsey,” he stated during an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem.

Nartey further accused CSO leaders of betraying their mandate by accepting government positions and silencing themselves.

“Those CSO leaders who were loud about galamsey have now been offered positions in government, and they’ve gone quiet,” he claimed, adding, “They are no longer speaking for the ordinary Ghanaian.”

He issued a strong warning: if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) returns to power in 2028, he expects that CSOs and organized labor will refrain from criticizing them.

Nartey concluded: “I don’t respect any of these groups anymore. They’ve shown they are just political animals, not genuine advocates for the people.”

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According to the group, the suspension of the Chief Justice by President John Mahama violates key provisions of the 1992 Constitution, particularly Articles 17(1)–(3), 23, 296, and 146(1)–(4) and (6).

They argue that the procedure lacked due process and failed to uphold the principles of fairness, non-discrimination, and lawful administrative conduct as enshrined in the Constitution.

Consequently, the group is asking the Supreme Court to declare that the President’s response to the three petitions seeking the Chief Justice’s removal was unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, a five-member committee established by President Mahama to probe the case is set to commence hearings today, Thursday, May 15.

The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, was constituted in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.

Its establishment followed a determination of a prima facie case against the Chief Justice and was undertaken in consultation with the Council of State.

The committee is expected to convene three times a week and, upon completion of its work, present its findings and recommendations to the President.

Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo is currently under investigation following five separate petitions alleging misconduct.

In response, President Mahama, after seeking advice from the Council of State, suspended Justice Torkornoo and set up a five-member panel to conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegations.

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In a jointly signed statement, the groups pledged their support for the Speaker’s decision to investigate the chaos and hold those responsible accountable.

“We believe the Speaker’s prompt and decisive action to launch an investigation into the incident and hold those responsible accountable is an essential step in preserving the dignity and integrity of Parliament. Such actions will help restore discipline and ensure that parliamentary proceedings are conducted with the decorum expected of elected representatives,” the statement read in parts.

The CSOs also expressed satisfaction with the Speaker’s enforcement of Standing Orders, which they believe will help rebuild public confidence in Parliament.

“We also acknowledge the Speaker’s commitment to enforcing the Standing Orders of Parliament. Strict adherence to these rules is a vital measure to halt the growing decline in parliamentary discipline, rebuild public trust in democracy, and safeguard the reputation of Ghana’s Parliament,” the statement added.

The CSOs further called for severe sanctions for those found culpable in the incident, emphasising that these measures are necessary to deter future misconduct.

“To serve as a deterrent and reinforce the principle that no one is above the law, we recommend imposing more severe punishments on those found culpable, along with surcharges to cover the damages they have caused,” the statement concluded.

Some legal experts have opposed the decision, arguing that the Speaker no authority to suspend the MPs.

Meanwhile, four MPs are currently serving a two-week suspension as a result of the chaotic incident.

The affected MPs are Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor (Majority Chief Whip), Frank Annoh-Dompreh (Minority Chief Whip), Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli (Gushegu MP), and Jerry Ahmed Shaib (Weija-Gbawe MP).

Also, Speaker Bagbin has instituted a bipartisan committee to probe and submit its report within 10 days.

The New Patriotic Party(NPP) has since directed its MPs to disregard the suspension and return to work, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.

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Click here to read the full statement:

This was to address the disturbing incidents of post-election violence and unrest that have marred Ghana’s otherwise peaceful 2024 general elections.

The coalition, comprising prominent groups such as the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), STAR Ghana Foundation, Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), and the Office of the National Chief Imam, expressed deep concern over the disruptions at collation centres and acts of vandalism.

“These acts of lawlessness threaten the peace and stability that are foundational to Ghana’s democracy,” the coalition emphasized in their press statement.

During the meeting, the CSOs acknowledged the efforts of security agencies in maintaining order and protecting lives during this tense period.

“We recognize the proactive measures by the Ghana Police Service and the Armed Forces to de-escalate tensions and uphold law and order,” the coalition said, while also commending the police for apprehending suspects involved in the violence.

The coalition also highlighted the swift intervention of President-elect John Dramani Mahama, who, along with the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), urged supporters to refrain from violence.

“Such appeals for peace are critical at this time,” the statement noted, extending similar praise to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and other individuals advocating for calm.

While Ghana’s elections are internationally regarded as a model of democracy in Africa, the post-election period has, unfortunately, been tainted by unrest.

“This is consistent with previous elections,” the coalition stated, condemning the acts of vandalism and unrest and calling for an immediate halt to all such activities to preserve the integrity of the election process.

The coalition urged the security agencies to intensify efforts to restore calm and ensure accountability. “We trust the police to remain impartial, uphold the law, and protect the safety and security of all Ghanaians,” they stated.

Additionally, the CSOs appealed to all Ghanaians to respect the rule of law and embrace peace during this critical transition period.

“The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of Ghana’s democracy and must be safeguarded by all of us,” the coalition said.

In closing, the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to preserve Ghana’s democracy. “Ghana’s strength lies in our commitment to peace, the rule of law, and the peaceful transfer of power,” the statement concluded.

As the nation navigates this post-election period, the coalition’s message is clear: Ghana’s democracy must remain a beacon of stability and progress for the region.

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The delegation, comprising civil society organisations such as the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), alongside representatives of religious bodies including the Chief Imam’s office and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, met with the IGP and Police leadership to discuss post-election concerns amidst reports of isolated violence, looting, and unrest.

The delegation leader, Reverend Dr. Fred Digby, Co-Chair of CODEO, emphasised the IGP’s reassurances that the Police remain in control and are employing strategic, non-violent methods to address disturbances.

He praised the Ghana Police Service for its composed and effective presence during the elections, which ensured order and safety.

While some citizens may perceive the Police’s restrained approach as leniency, he clarified that it is a deliberate tactic to prevent escalation.

Dr. Mohamed Marzouk Abubakar Azandoro, representing the Chief Imam, commended the Police for their transparency, diplomacy, and rationality, noting that these qualities have bolstered public confidence in the service.

He urged Ghanaians to respect the rule of law and emphasised that those responsible for unlawful acts would face accountability.

Mr. Kojo Asante of CODEO and CDD highlighted the importance of adhering to constitutional processes for declaring election results.

He discouraged destructive acts such as burning pink sheets, stressing that the Electoral Commission (EC) must be allowed adequate time to complete its work without undue pressure.

Mr Asante also commended the Police for their efforts to de-escalate tensions, recognising their strategic restraint as vital to preserving peace and stability.

Reverend Father Michael Kweku, representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, urged citizens to verify the information before acting on it and lauded the Police for their measured response.

He called on Ghanaians to trust legal processes and allow the EC to conduct its duties without interference.

Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Ansah of the CFI reflected on civil society’s role in improving Ghana’s electoral system.

He cited the development of structured transition processes as a significant achievement, drawn from lessons of past elections.

Dr Ansah also encouraged the media to report accurately and responsibly, warning against misinformation and partisan distortions.

The delegation thanked the Inspector-General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, and the Police for their dedication to safeguarding peace.

They called on all stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to ensure a smooth transition and uphold Ghana’s democratic principles.

The meeting concluded with the delegation reaffirming their collective commitment to fostering a better Ghana through collaboration, vigilance, and prayer.

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They argue that, weak mining regulations, particularly the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), have allowed for reckless mining practices to thrive.

The groups point to illegal mining, or “galamsey,” as a major threat, causing severe damage to Ghana’s natural resources.

They believe current mining laws are inadequate in holding companies accountable for environmental breaches, such as cyanide spills, which jeopardize public health and ecosystems.

A key issue raised by the civil society groups is the unfair compensation given to farmers whose lands are taken for mining. Multinational companies, they claim, offer minimal compensation to impoverished farmers, leaving them economically and physically displaced.

The groups attribute this shift to weak enforcement of mining regulations, which has turned struggling farmers into desperate miners, perpetuating poverty in mining communities.

To combat these challenges, the organizations have proposed several measures.

These include adopting a non-partisan approach to combat surface mining, imposing a moratorium on the issuance of mining licenses across all categories, and organizing joint citizen-led actions involving various societal groups, such as the clergy, workers, traditional leaders, and the media, to hold the government accountable for tackling mining-related issues, including galamsey.

Additionally, they call for a comprehensive review of mining laws to include stronger environmental protections.

Source: Adomonline

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During the meeting, NDC leaders expressed concerns over alleged irregularities discovered in the provisional voters’ register provided by the Electoral Commission (EC) during the August exhibition exercise.

According to the NDC, one of the key issues identified was the inclusion of over 243,000 illegal names in the list of transferred voters.

A previous meeting was held on Friday, September 6, at the EC headquarters to address these discrepancies, but it ended without resolution.

In response, NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, announced a nationwide protest, which took place on Tuesday, September 17, to pressure the EC to agree to a forensic audit.

At the end of the protest, a formal petition was submitted to the EC, and the Deputy Chairman in charge of operations promised that the petition would be reviewed and addressed.

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, NDC’s Director of Elections and IT, reaffirmed the party’s key demands, which include:

1. Publishing the findings of the forensic audit,
2. Re-exhibiting the register after the audit,
3. Correcting unauthorized voter transfers,
4. Revising the electoral timeline while maintaining the December 7 election date, and
5. Instituting measures to prevent future manipulation of the voters’ register.

Dr. Boamah further suggested that the EC’s resistance to the audit might indicate the presence of more significant discrepancies that the commission is unwilling to reveal through thorough scrutiny.

Below is his post on Facebook

Source: Adomonline

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In a joint statement released on Wednesday, September 4, the CSOs highlighted the bill’s lengthy and challenging journey, stressing that its passage could have addressed numerous instances of unexplained wealth.

However, they claim that the bill is currently encountering significant resistance at the cabinet level.

The CSOs expressed their surprise and concern over the bill’s continued stagnation, especially since it was adopted by Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee as far back as July 2020.

“We firmly believe that the recent controversies surrounding public officials and seemingly unexplained wealth could have been resolved if the 2022 CoPO Bill had been enacted. Perhaps, that is why the Bill is facing strong resistance within Cabinet.

“This is particularly shocking, considering that the 2018 CoPO Bill was previously recommended for Parliament’s adoption with minimal suggestions by the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs in July 2020.

“The failure to pass any CoPO Bill since 2013 indicates a lack of commitment from successive governments and parliaments to combat the rising cases of alleged corruption, including procurement breaches and conflicts of interest in the Fourth Republic.”

The CSOs further attributed the growing public perception of corruption to the delays in passing the bill.

“A recent Afrobarometer survey shows that a majority (77%) of Ghanaians believe the level of corruption in the country has increased, and that the government is doing a poor job of fighting it. Additionally, many citizens (69%) perceive widespread corruption in key public institutions but fear retaliation if they report cases to the authorities (CDD, News Release, 28 July 2022).

“As widely reported, corruption undermines public institutions, leading to low public confidence in government and economic systems, and eroding the trust necessary for a functioning market economy.”

The bill is expected to require public officers, among other obligations, to declare their assets upon assuming and leaving office.

Source: Adomonline.com

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The groups are calling for the immediate suspension of Executive Instrument 144 and Legislative Instrument 246 (2), which declassified the Achimota Forest and other reserves across the country, to protect the dwindling reserves.

The coordinator for Eco-Conscious Citizens, Awula Serwaa, stated that the declassification of forest reserves is detrimental to the country’s interests and should not be allowed to continue.

“The government acquired lands for horticultural purposes and not for commercial purposes and so we need to have an audit and those structures on Parks and Gardens lands must be removed immediately.

“We are asking the Cabinet to rescind E.I 144 to reverse the declassification of the Achimota Forest and also, Parliament must reverse LI 246 (2) because they are not in the interest of Ghana or Ghanaians,” she told Citi FM.

Ms Serwaa emphasized that the colonial administration wisely established forest reserves for future generations, recognizing their value.

She noted that, converting these protective forest reserves into developments contributes to rising lung disease cases due to increased air pollution.

E.I. 144 concerns the return of 361 acres of the Achimota Forest to its original custodial owners, the Owoo family.

The Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu also urged the Lands Minister to reverse the legislation and prevent any attempts to reclassify forest reserves.

“Citizens were thinking that with all the uproar, the government will rescind its decision but they are seriously on the forest reserve demarcating portions of the forest and that is very unfortunate.

“It is unfortunate that this is happening at a time we are talking about air pollution and other things yet we are still determined to go into the forest. The government must take a bold step and say, they are going to listen to the people and stop the demarcation because the Achimota Forest is very important and the Lands Minister must not allow it.”

The CSOs have bemoaned the beneficiaries are facing untold hardships due to the delay in the disbursement.

In a press release, the groups indicated that “this delay has left vulnerable Ghanaians, including the elderly, orphans and vulnerable children, very poor pregnant women and lactating mothers with infants under a year, and persons with severe disabilities without productive capacity, in dire straits amid cost of living increasing by 15% over the past year and food prices rising by 20%. This highlights a significant breach of trust and duty by the government.

The CSOs acknowledged the government’s efforts in the past year to increase LEAP benefits and disburse grants at the increased rate in 2023 albeit with some delays.

However, the government have not only failed to meet the IMF bailout negotiations for a timely disbursement of LEAP grants to support vulnerable households but this delay is particularly detrimental as it coincides with a period of increasing inflation and economic instability.

Additionally, “for many elderly beneficiaries, LEAP grants are a lifeline. These funds are often their only source of income, enabling them to purchase food, medication, and other essential items. The delays, which have stretched to as long as four months, mean that many elderly individuals are forced to make impossible choices between eating and buying medicine,” the CSOs stated.

They added that for orphans and vulnerable children, this comes with proud ripple effects as the LEAP benefit is supposed to support their education, nutrition, and basic needs.

The CSOs called for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable Ghanaians and to restore confidence in the government’s social protection initiatives.

“The delayed LEAP payments represent not only a breach of trust but a pressing humanitarian crisis. As inflation continues to rise, the government must prioritize the needs of its most vulnerable citizens and expedite the disbursement of these crucial grants.”

“This is not just about fulfilling a promise made during bailout negotiations; it is about upholding the dignity and well-being of Ghanaians who depend on this support to survive. The timeliness of LEAP payments is also critical to achieving the programme’s positive social and economic objectives.”

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Read the full statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT:
Government’s Delay in LEAP Payments is a Betrayal and Deepens Hardship for Vulnerable Ghanaians

For Immediate Release
Accra, Ghana – June 17, 2024

The persistent delay in the disbursement of Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) grants is exacerbating the hardships vulnerable Ghanaians face. Despite the government’s commitment to prompt payment of these grants as a condition of the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout negotiations, the process remains disappointingly sluggish.

This delay has left vulnerable Ghanaians, including the elderly, orphans and vulnerable children, very poor pregnant women and lactating mothers with infants under 1 year, and persons with severe disabilities without productive capacity, in dire straits amid cost of living increasing by 15% over the past year and food prices rising by 20%. This highlights a significant breach of trust and duty by the government.

The Civil Society Platform on the Sustainable Development Goal 10, the Social Accountability Forum, and the Civil Society Platform for Social Protection jointly issued this Press statement to prevail on the government to expeditiously pay the grants to ameliorate the suffering of the LEAP beneficiaries.

The LEAP initiative is recognized as one of the five primary social intervention programmes being enhanced to assist the poor and vulnerable populations. By the end of 2023, the LEAP programme had extended its reach to approximately 350,580 households, benefiting around 1.5 million individuals nationwide.

As part of its efforts to mitigate the impact of rising living costs on the poor and vulnerable, the Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF), increased the monthly LEAP benefit levels by 100% in the 2023 National Budget (Pg. 86; Para. 371).

Prior to this 2023 adjustment, the transfer level had only been revised twice: in January 2012 and September 2015. Despite some delays, the government fulfilled its commitment by disbursing all six LEAP cycles at the increased grant value for 2023.

Additionally, in September 2023, the Cabinet approved a structural benchmark developed by the MoGCSP in collaboration with MoF. This benchmark introduced an inflation-based indexation mechanism to adjust LEAP benefits annually, ensuring that the real value of the benefits is preserved against inflation (2024 Budget statement pg. 65 para. 292).

To further support the most vulnerable during economic adjustments, the Government of Ghana decided to double the LEAP grant value again in 2024, from the 2023 target. This marks the first instance of the LEAP grant being doubled in two consecutive years (2023 and 2024).

The goal is to cover 20% of pre-transfer household consumption over the next few years through periodic benefits adjustments, reassessments, and continuous monitoring and evaluation of the LEAP programme (2024 Budget statement pg. 65 para. 294).

Key Issues:

• Government Commitment: As part of the IMF bailout negotiations, the government pledged to ensure the timely disbursement of LEAP grants to support vulnerable households. However, this promise has not been fulfilled, undermining trust and the effectiveness of the programme.
• Delayed Payments: The delayed payments are particularly detrimental as they coincide with a period of increasing inflation and economic instability. Evidence shows that regular, predictable cash transfers that keep pace with inflation and are delivered over an adequate period can play a crucial role in enhancing household resilience to future shocks. First, cash transfers can facilitate the diversification of livelihoods and income streams. Second, by providing a regular and predictable source of income, beneficiary households can better anticipate and plan for contingencies (including through increased savings), thereby shielding them from resorting to harmful coping mechanisms (like selling off assets or sending children to work or girls to be married) when confronted with income shocks.
• Impact on Vulnerable Populations:
  o The Elderly and their struggles: For many elderly beneficiaries, LEAP grants are a lifeline. These funds are often their only source of income, enabling them to purchase food, medication, and other essential items. The delays, which have stretched to as long as four months, mean that many elderly individuals are forced to make impossible choices between eating and buying medicine. This is not just a financial issue; it is a matter of dignity and survival.
  o Impact on Orphans and Vulnerable Children: LEAP grants are supposed to support their education, nutrition, and basic needs. When these payments are delayed, the ripple effects are profound. Children may miss school because their guardians cannot afford school fees or supplies, and their health can suffer due to inadequate nutrition. This undermines the very purpose of the LEAP programme, which is to break the cycle of poverty by investing in the most vulnerable members of society.
  o Persons with Severe Disabilities: Those with severe disabilities and without productive capacity are among the hardest hit. Many of them rely on LEAP grants for their daily sustenance and care. The lack of timely financial support exacerbates their already challenging circumstances, leading to increased isolation and vulnerability. The government’s failure to provide these funds on time is a stark reminder of how marginalized these individuals are within our society
  o Very Poor Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers: For these persons, LEAP grants are vital for ensuring proper nutrition and healthcare. Delays in payments can lead to severe malnutrition and health complications for both mothers and their infants.

Call to Action: We urgently call on the government to honour its commitment to the timely payment of LEAP grants. Immediate action is required to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable Ghanaians and to restore confidence in the government’s social protection initiatives. The delayed LEAP payments represent not only a breach of trust but a pressing humanitarian crisis.

As inflation continues to rise, the government must prioritize the needs of its most vulnerable citizens and expedite the disbursement of these crucial grants. This is not just about fulfilling a promise made during bailout negotiations; it is about upholding the dignity and well-being of Ghanaians who depend on this support to survive. The timeliness of LEAP payments is also critical to achieving the programme’s positive social and economic objectives.

In conclusion, the government must take immediate and decisive action to rectify the delays in LEAP payments. This issue transcends political and economic debates; it touches on the core of human dignity and the right to a basic standard of living. The elderly, orphans and vulnerable children, and persons with severe disabilities deserve better. They deserve a government that honours its commitments and puts their needs first. Anything less is a betrayal of trust and a failure of leadership.

For further information, please contact:

Auberon Jeleel Odoom
Convenor, SDG Sub platform Goal 10

This comes in the wake of some 24 countries who have imposed Internet shutdowns in the past during their election years, which hindered the full enjoyment of a wide range of fundamental rights and freedoms.

The Manager of the KeepItOn campaign, Felicia Anthonio, said this was an unprecedented year for democracy as national elections were expected to take place in at least 64 countries.

With billions of people at risk of shutdowns during election periods, she said the stakes for democracy and human rights this year were higher than ever. She, therefore, urged the government not to disrupt access to the Internet as it violated fundamental human rights.

The workshop

Mrs Antonio made the appeal at a workshop, which was organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Access Now, a civil society group, that defends and extends the digital rights of people and communities at risk.

The workshop was part of the KeepItOn campaign, which was launched by Access Now in 2016 to help unite and organise the efforts of activists and organisations across the world to end internet shutdowns.

The one-day workshop which took place in Accra last Monday, is part of activities to promote internet freedom in the country during this year’s election period to ensure fairness, credibility and transparency.

It brought together participants from various civil society organisations in human rights and the media to examine the increasing rate of network shutdowns in Africa and their implications on economic development and human rights.

It empowered the participants to effectively mobilise and tackle threats of Internet shutdown as well as some proactive ways they can engage in to ensure that network shutdowns are mitigated.

Internet shutdown

An internet shutdown is an intentional disruption of internet or electronic communications, rendering them inaccessible or effectively unusable for a specific population or within a location, often to exert control over the flow of information.

Some governments continue to shut down the Internet and critical digital communication platforms during key national events such as elections, mass protest, among others, thus infringing the human rights of people in the process.

Effect of internet shutdown

Mrs Anthonio said those restrictions also affected ordinary lives by preventing people from communicating, hampering businesses and disrupting education and access to online services and opportunities.

She said internet shutdowns were unacceptable and governments should not be imposing them irrespective of the reason. “Internet shutdowns violate fundamental human rights and governments have the duty to protect these rights and so the media needs to re-echo these calls that we are making,” Mrs Anthonio said.

“A lot of governments would shut down internet during election periods with excuses that it is for national security reasons but we need them to stop using that as an excuse and rather look at increasing the access to improve national discourse,” she added.

She also called for election observer groups to include Internet shutdowns as an indicator of free and fair elections. She said that was because limited access to Internet prevented people from actively participating in the election process, thus, making the election unfair.

Mr Kyerematen said this during an engagement with some CSOs in Accra last Tuesday (Nov 14) to make known his vision and plans for the nation dubbed the “Great Transformational Plan (GTP).”  

He said his new blueprint, the GTP, was anchored on 15 pillars which has been categorised into five different but interrelated clusters, namely economic, infrastructure, social services, environment and natural resources and governance.

He added that the elaboration of the GTP was still work in progress and that that would provide an opportunity for greater stakeholders inputs.

In attendance were IMANI Africa, Crusaders against Corruption, Non-aligned Voters Association, Backbone of Good Governance, Parliamentary Network Africa, Coalition of CSOs for African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Second Connect Ghana, Africa Education Watch, Democracy Hub, Star Ghana and Fix the Country Movement.

Also present was the Chairperson of the Convention People’s Party,  Nana Akosua Frimpongmaa Sarpong Kumankumah. 

MFC

Mr Kyerematen said the MFC was a political organisation whose establishment was inspired by the overwhelming demand by Ghanaians from all walks of life for change and to transform Ghana into a prosperous, united and a peaceful nation.

He said there were four dominant themes underpinning the change agenda of the Movement, namely change the political status quo by moving Ghana beyond the duopoly of the two main political parties: the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress, promote the establishment of a Government of National Unity, build consensus on a National Development Plan and inspire positive behavioural and attitudinal change in the people of Ghana.

“In order to realise the core objectives reflected in the four dominant themes, he had proposed the new plan for the country’s development.

Economy

Mr Kyerematen said the economy of Ghana had over the last 60 years been characterised by severe fluctuations in economic performance, reflecting structural vulnerabilities in the Ghanaian economy.

That, he said, had denied the country of the much-needed stability and growth, critical for transforming the country from poverty to prosperity.

The success of the GTP, he said, would depend primarily on strong macroeconomic fundamentals, which will include among other things, a stable currency, low inflation, sustainable debt levels, revenue optimisation and tight expenditure control which will guarantee fiscal balance, low competitive interest rates, strong external reserves backed by high levels of liquidity to support the financial sector.

The Founder of the National Interest Movement, Dr Michael Abu-Sakara Foster, who chaired the function, expressed the hope that the presentation and discussions would mark a watershed moment on the country’s quest for a real alternative that “delivers the change that we all want to see in Ghana”.

The founder and President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, said although change was important, transformational change was even more necessary.

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The call comes on the back of a recent GH¢2 million loss made by the company between January to September 2023.

According to the group, various studies conducted reveal privatising the operations of the state company is the best option to enhance its operation.

Addressing journalists at a news conference on Thursday (9 November) in Accra to present its recommendations to the government in some critical sectors ahead of the 2024 Budget presentation in Parliament, a member of the forum, Abdul Kareem Muhammed said ECG has been inefficient.

“ECG has failed to manage itself, so we are asking that they consider a return to the private sector participation arrangement, but we are not asking to go back to the days of PDS.”

“Within the last 6 months or so, the tariffs have been increased by about 100%, but liquidity has worsened within the same period, so whereas the tariff has increased, their cash position is even worse now,” he said.

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According to them, the ongoing prosecution of some journalists, activists and pressure group members leaves a sour taste in the mouth of observers.

The CSOs are the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), IMANI Africa and Africa Center for International Law & Accountability (ACILA).

They made this known in a press release dated Saturday, February 12, 2022.

Back in August 2001, the Criminal Code (Repeal of Criminal Libel and Seditious Laws) (Amendment) Act, 2001 (Act 602) was repealed.

This move was expected to free journalists and other persons from suffering the pain of incarceration for exercising free speech and expression.

But the CSOs believe recent events suggest the resurfacing of what seems to be a worrying trend of criminal prosecutions making a mockery of the law abolished some 21 years ago.

Key among the incident is the criminal prosecution of the Executive Director of Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability. (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson.

He is facing charges of publishing false news for making a post on his Facebook page alleging that certain relatives of the President travelled to the UK on the presidential jet for pleasure and shopping.

This, the CSOs see as high-handedness in the discharge of justice by the state.

“We are deeply troubled by the growing use of the prosecutorial and judicial power of the State to punish criminally speech that allegedly falsely injures or damages the reputation of other persons or an institution of the state.”

The group said that the constitution provides civil remedies and also presents “parties the prospect of avoiding even civil liability by retracting the offending publication and rendering an appropriate apology to the injured or offended party.”

On the back of this, the group urged that the Attorney-General stops the prosecution of the ASEPA boss and also urged the Attorney-General to “stop all persons acting under his authority from re-introducing in another guise the long-discredited and abolished criminal libel regime.”

The CSOs also urged the media to be circumspect in their reportage to promote sanity in the country.

“We also urge media practitioners and users to tone down the inflammatory rhetoric that has contaminated our public sphere and airwaves, desist from knowingly or recklessly making or publishing false statements, and use, to the extent possible, the Right to Information Act and its processes to access information from public authorities,” the statement added.

Below is the full statement:

This was at the National Police Headquarters in Accra as part of a stakeholder engagement programme.

The meeting was to afford the Police Administration the opportunity to listen to the concerns of civil society about policing in the country.

Discussions focused on the shortcomings of the police institution and other challenges affecting policing in Ghana.

Others included the need for enhanced community engagement, civility of the police, human rights issues in policing, election security, bribery, and corruption.

Selective application of the law, abuse of traffic regulations by drivers of V8 vehicles and motorbike riders as well as police-military operations, and the conduct of demonstrations were also discussed.

The well-attended meeting was chaired by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, and moderated by the Director of Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, (KAIPTC), Prof Kwasi Anning.

The Executive Director of Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Prof Henry Kwesi Prempeh, Security Analyst, Adam Bonah;  Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe, among others were also present.

Also present were members of the Police Management Board (POMAB) and some other Senior Police Officers.

In his closing remarks, Dr Dampare emphasised the need for the police and CSOs to work together towards the peace of the country.

He called on them to speak up on issues affecting the security of the country and to offer constructive criticism to the police.

He further assured that the Police Administration was focused and determined to deliver on its constitutional mandate.

They said: “We are very disappointed in Sarkodie for circulating pictures of himself smoking a cigar on social media without considering the negative influence this singular act stands to have on the public, especially the youth, most of who consider him as their role model.”

The CSOs are the Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), the Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (Ghana NCD Alliance), Media Alliance in Tobacco Control and Health (MATCOH), Jaishi Initiative, and the Community Health Support Team (CHEST).

This was in a statement issued on behalf of the organisations by Mr Labram Musah, the Director of Programmes of VALD, and National Coordinator, Ghana NCD Alliance, copied to the Ghana News Agency.

It called on Sarkodie to desist from the act in both his pictures and music videos to avoid indirectly ushering innocent youth into smoking, which had no benefit to humans.

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“We are also by this statement calling on the singer to render an apology to all Ghanaians, especially the youth, for such a distasteful act that has the propensity of changing behaviour of our youth from good to bad and pledge to support and promote the health and well-being of all,’’ the statement said.

It entreated, particularly those in the entertainment industry, to note that Ghana’s Public Health Act (Act 851) under part Six, which talks about tobacco control measures, prohibits tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and also bans its products in the entertainment media.

“We expect Sarkodie to use his influence and his platforms positively to educate and instill good morals including healthy living in his followers and the public,” it said.

The statement said already Ghana was faced with increased rate of shisha smoking among the youth in second-cycle and tertiary institutions, which had negative impact on their wellbeing, adding that some countries had banned its use completely.

“We find the act by the two-time BET Award winner as unprofessional, unethical and unhealthy. The youth by virtue of their youthful exuberance and experimentations follow the paths of individuals they have idolized and such must not be led into deadly pits by these same idols…,” it said.

It said tobacco use was one of the leading preventable causes of deaths in the world, with most occurring in low-and-middle-income countries, including Ghana.

It is estimated that annually about eight million lives are lost to tobacco use, while 600,000 people are also killed by exposure to tobacco smoke worldwide.

“Smoking also increases the risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis and many more. Cost of treatment for these effects are very high, which sends majority to their early graves and leads families into abject poverty,” the statement said.

“It is important to note that smokers have a high risk of contracting COVID-19 due to weak immune system as a result of smoking.

“Just few weeks ago, during this year’s World No Tobacco Day commemoration, the World Health Organisation began a campaign; ‘Commit to Quit’ and so we find this act as a threat to all these efforts by well-meaning people.”

Among other things, the CSOs accused President Nana Akufo-Addo and the Audit Service Board of unfairly targeting and dismissing Daniel Domelevo.

The CSOs urged Mr Domelevo to take action against the Audit Service Board and the Presidency for administrative injustice.

Read the full statement below:

Following the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) ban on protest, as ordered by the police, the CSOs have taken it upon themselves to challenge the result of the Techiman South constituency seat on behalf of the party.

The gathering will begin at Circle Obra Spot, after which they march to the EC’s office to present a petition come January 4.

By extension, they are demanding a public collation of the parliamentary results of the 2020 general polls.

The organization, with the aim of promoting transparency in government, said the outstanding seat is the game changer in parliament, and for that they have to ensure it is allocated to its legitimate owner.

Despite the seat being called for the New Patriotic Party’s Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, the CSOs believe there is no evidence of public collation, per constitutional requirement.

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ASEPA and its conjugates are re-demanding a copy of the declaration form, after the EC ignored their initial request, which they believe will bring full closure to the matter.

Failure of the EC to furnish them with the documents, the march – which by their press statement seeks to notify the EC – will hold.

The CSOs in a press release, accused the government of resource-deprivation and neglect of the Commission since 2009.

Read details of press release by the 59 CSOs:

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana in March, the government has rolled out a number of key measures to help contain the pandemic. These have included the enactment of the Imposition of Restrictions Act (Act 1012), the imposition of a partial lockdown, closure of the country’s borders, and a ban on public gatherings.

Members of the public have also been urged to observe a number of safety protocols. These include social distancing, frequent washing of hands, wearing of facial masks, among others, all of which are intended to contain the spread of the disease and ultimately bring it under control.

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has also been associated with the major problem of proliferation of fake news and misinformation. Indeed, in one of his addresses to the nation, H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, flagged it as a major challenge in the on-going effort to contain and deal with the pandemic.

A key prerequisite for the success of the measures announced by government and for public adherence to appropriate protocols for containing the COVID-19 pandemic is public education. Given the above, we, the undersigned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), have been monitoring the role of public institutions with critical mandates for public education and sensitisation on the pandemic in Ghana. One of such critical institutions is the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).

Last week, we observed with concern, information through a television interview and an official tweet by the NCCE to the effect that due to resource constraints, the Commission could only disburse a paltry one hundred cedis (GHc100) to each of its district offices for public education on COVID-19. Alarmed by the information, we undertook independent checks to ascertain the financial and logistical state of the NCCE.

Our checks revealed a worrying pattern of neglect of the Commission by successive governments since 2009. The neglect and resource-deprivation of the Commission has literally rendered it incapable of undertaking its important constitutional obligation of public education. Among other worrying revelations, our checks revealed the following:

• Despite its critical role in public education, the NCCE has not been involved in national COVID-19 planning and response process

• As at April this year, the Commission had not received any amount from its 2020 budgetary allocation. The Commission has hardly received its total budgetary allocation since 2009.

• The Commission lacks basic tools and equipment such as public address systems, for effective advocacy and public education

• The commission relies on rickety cars that hardly enable mobility. The newest cars are eight years old. In fact, even the Chairman of the Commission does not have an official car since her appointment in 2015.

• The total staff of the Commission in 2007 is less than its current staff in 2020, although the population of the country has increased since then with more regions and districts.

• The socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on our nation could be devastating. Appropriate citizen behavior is the most potent arsenal in this fight against COVID-19. Members of the public need to adhere to the necessary safety protocols, as well as other policies and measures announced by government.

• The measures announced by the government so far require effective, persistent education in order to elicit compliance from citizens. There is no public institution better placed to do such public education than the NCCE. The NCCE is mandated by Chapter 19 of our Constitution to inculcate in the Ghanaian citizenry, the awareness of their rights and obligations, through civic education. The NCCE is specialized in citizen education and has the structures to carry out the task; being present in all districts in Ghana. What the Commission needs are the funds, personnel, tools and equipment to deliver.

• While we applaud the efforts and measures implemented by government so far to tackle the pandemic, we are asking the government to, as a matter of urgency, retool the NCCE with the necessary funds and logistics to enable it play the critical role of national public education on COVID-19. We are also appealing to the government to prioritize the role of the Commission by providing it with the required resources to enable it discharge its obligations beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

God save our homeland Ghana!!

Signed:

1. Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC)

2. Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)

3. SEND-Ghana

4. Penplusbytes

5. West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)

6. IMANI

7. Citizens Movement Against Corruption (CMaC)

8. Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)

9. Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA)

10. International Child Development Program (ICDP)

11. Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC)

12. CDD-Ghana

13. Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII)

14. Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP)

15. Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG)

16. Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs

17. Pamoja Ghana

18. Offinso Partners in Sustainable Development (OPSD)

19. Krobo Danish Association (KROBODAN)

20. Renel Ghana Foundation (RGF)

21. Vision for Alternative Development (VALD)

22. Centre for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (CEESD)

23. Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF)

24. Elizka Relief Foundation

25. Good Governance Africa (GGA)

26. Young Achievers Caucus (YAC)

27. Edu – Media Ghana

28. Ahafo Network of NGOs (ANN)

29. Indigenous Women Empowerment Network (IWEN)

30. Northern Development Society (NORDESO)

31. Centre for Adolescents and Women’s Health Initiative (CAWHI), Ghana

32. Centre for Capacity Improvement for the Well-being of the Vulnerable (CIWED)

33. Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC)

34. Alliance for African Women Initiative (AFAWI)

35. Norules Ghana Foundation

36. Alliance for Empowering Rural Communities (AERC Ghana)

37. Muslim Family Counselling Services

38. Mind Freedom Ghana

39. Centre for Community Livelihood Development (CCLD)

40. Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG)

41. Act for Change (AfC)

42. Young Visionary Leaders Ghana (YVLG)

43. Network for Women’s Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT)

44. Agorvie Youth for Sustainable Development (AY4SD)

45. Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN)

46. PACKS Africa

47. Community Aid for Rural Development (CARD-Ghana)

48. AbibiNsroma Foundation

49. Abibiman Foundation

50. Capacity Enhancement and Community Support-CAPECS

51. Ghana Youth Environmental Movement

52. Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana (YHFG)

53. PROMAG Network

54. Lens of Hope Foundation

55. LAMA Consult Foundation

56. RU-Care Foundation

57. ICARE

58. Rights and Responsibilities Initiatives Ghana

59. Centre for Community Livelihood Development (CCLD)

According to the group , the reasons given by the EC are not justifiable enough to warrant a new register.

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Read full statement below:

PREAMBLE
For some time now the nation has been caught in debates about the proposal to scrap the existing biometric voters’ register and associated technology infrastructure (enrollment & verification hardware and software, and data centers & databases) and procure a totally new infrastructure for the purpose of the 2020 elections.

Needless to say, there has been disagreement from many quarters regarding this proposal.

We the Coalition of major Civil Society Organisations and key individuals under the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), are of the view that this is not and should not be a war of opinions among stakeholders with political clout.

This is a controversy over plain facts and values which can be resolved by a transparent and sincere evaluation of the data and the evidence, most of it relates to Information Technology over which the EC as a body has no inherent expertise, but which IT Experts can understand and agree on.

We (and our IT Experts) have thoroughly examined the Electoral Commission’s submissions and found them quite defective.

Consequently we wish to make this statement, representing the views of the undersigned, for the record.

THE ISSUES

1. Whether Ghana needs a completely new “Biometric Voters Management System”, an end-to-end infrastructure comprising hardware, software, datacenters/databases and fresh mass enrollment of voters.
2. Whether, if the country does require such brand new infrastructure, a new mass registration and enrollment of voters shall be required.
3. Whether the Law empowers the Electoral Commission to solely determine when to procure a totally new system.
4. Whether under the present circumstances the Electoral Commission’s current procurement plan for such a system is honest, sensible and defensible.

OUR POSITION
We the undersigned submit the following observations and guided conclusions based on the known facts and consultation with experts;

Highlights

1. The EC has focused on technical issues as the major motivation for a new voters register. The Commission has mentioned the vulnerability of current systems and equipment. However, it appears that this position has been reached based on the advice of a single vendor. Similarly, the procurement cost assessments have also come from a single source.
2. The EC places a lot of emphasis on STL’S purported correspondence about the costs of refurbishment and fresh procurement. The EC says that STL have offered BVRs for $5145 brand new or $3500 refurbished, and BVDs for $917 brand new and $244 refurbished. The EC should be canvassing the market for the cost of these equipment, and investigating the possibility of an open-source central software application, as Nigeria has done in recent years.
3. We believe that the EC has not demonstrated that there is a defect with the biometric data which was used as recently as 2 months ago on a nationwide scale, to necessitate spending $70 million on mass registration. It has already conducted limited registration for the district elections and should be using that benchmark cost for the general elections limited registration. If it wishes to acquire new BVRs and BVDs, and so far it has said little to justify why it needs to do so; it can publish a transparent, well-publicized, tender to bring the costs to less than $15 million, not the $36 million it claims it requires. We base our figures on average BVD costs of $160 as per our market benchmark study, and average BVR tablet costs of $750.
4. The EC announced a fingerprint non-recognition rate (thus requiring manual verification) of 0.6% in the last District Elections and then promptly declared the BVDs to be irredeemably defective. Had the EC reached out to truly independent experts to advise it, it would have been told that a failure rate of 0.6% is rather reasonable. No biometric authentication system can offer a 100% matching accuracy under our conditions at the scale we are talking about. The EC cannot be in a position to seriously assess the quality of the existing system if it relies on the information provided by a single vendor or narrow set of vendors.
5. In summary, the EC does not seem to have undertaken a comprehensive assessment to ascertain that an entirely new system is a Hobson’s choice.

Detailed Justification for our Position

1. Whether Ghana needs a completely new Electoral register and voter identification hardware and software system.

Over the years, the ELECTORAL COMMISSION has collected, updated, upgraded and cleaned up its systems to ensure improvement in the integrity of our elections. This has largely led to the conduct of broadly accepted elections which have led to changes in government.
The most contentious of these elections led to the election petition, which was ultimately unsuccessful. We can safely therefore say the EC has done fairly well in the management of its systems so far. Even its worst performance which was challenged was found to be sufficiently valid and the results therefrom upheld as valid enough to elect a President after a vigorous challenge. These were conducted with older and less sophisticated systems.

The present system the EC possesses is the most advanced of all its systems so far and possesses more features than any previous one. It has been used as recently as 2 months ago to conduct nation-wide elections with very few problems; they cannot, thus, be said to be totally useless.

It is our view that the nation does not, in the face of the present facts, need to throw out everything and acquire a totally new infrastructure when the present system can be augmented and be made capable of performing the task. The EC alone cannot determine that the whole system is useless and saddle the nation with the cost of a new one, especially when the only foundation for its assertions are the claims of a narrow set of vendors that basic market benchmarking studies can easily disprove.

1. Whether the present voter identification hardware and software system is completely obsolete and unfit for any use, thus requiring its total abandonment in favour of a new system

The system comprises a database, which can be migrated as needs be into new electronic environments. The nature and key feature of databases essentially are that because of how they are designed, with the right programs, they can be ported, transferred, and accessed across platforms. The present state of all database technology is that by definition they can be transferred with relative ease and do not need to be rebuilt entirely each time, at worst they will be updated with new information. With the right level of skill, the portability of data is usually simple and straightforward.

The software and operating system, which are at the heart of the system, therefore only needs upgrading to remove and include those who must be removed and included. The hardware systems can (as the EC itself admits), be procured off the shelf. Some may require replacement, but if so, truly competitive tendering is required in a limited and categorical sense. The current plan to tender an end-to-end infrastructure with vague specifications is not prudent. The suggestion that the existing database is totally useless cannot be true if it has been used 2 months ago.

1. Whether the Law empowers the Electoral Commission to solely determine when to procure a totally new system.

The law states as follows:
1992 constitution;
ARTICLE 45. FUNCTIONS OF ELECTORAL COMMISSION
The Electoral Commission shall have the following functions-
a. to compile the register of voters and revise it at such periods as may be determined by law’

it states that the EC SHALL COMPILE. This does not suggest that the EC must create a totally new system. Indeed, the law envisages a situation where the information exists in various forms or even at various places and requires the EC NOT to re-create the information, as in collect new Primary Data at great expense, but to COMPILE the data. A compilation clearly means the EC must collate it from existing sources.

Incidentally and fortunately, there exists a national institution set up and empowered by law to collect such information for the purpose of National Identification and related uses, As set out below in the Act.

This specific national institution set up for the function of data collection, is an AUTHORITY on the subject; whereas the EC is a COMMISSION, for Elections, and not even on the subject of Data Collection. In any contention, an Authority on the subject has more legal right to perform the function than a Commission set up for a different purpose.
Below is a section of the Law setting up the National Identification Authority:

THE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY ACT, 2006 ACT 707.

1. Object and functions of the Authority
   (1) The object of the Authority is to create, maintain, provide and promote the use of national identity cards in order to advance economic, political and social activities in the country.

(2) To achieve its object, the Authority shall
(a) collect personal data;
(i) on citizens resident in the Republic and abroad, and
(ii) on foreign nationals permanently resident in the country,
(b) ensure the accuracy, integrity, confidentiality and security of data collected by the Authority,
(c) issue national identity cards to
(i) citizens, and
(ii) foreign nationals permanently resident in the country,
(d) make data in its custody available to persons or institutions authorised by law to access the
data, and
(e) perform other functions ancillary to or related to the functions specified in this subsection or
assigned to it under this Act or any other enactment.

(3) National identity cards issued under this Act, shall be used in transactions which require identification.

There is therefore clearly an AUTHORITY backed by law to collect primary National Identification data, and to make it available for other state institutions such as the EC to compile from. In the past when the NIA was not functioning, the EC clearly had the justification to collect its own data, not now.

Under the present situation, The EC can clearly compile its data for the purpose of an electoral register from the NIA. This will be in perfect tandem with the law and be a most justified approach.

1. Whether under the present circumstances the propriety of procuring a totally new system can be justified.

It is our view that under the present circumstances, the expense for an end-to-end system, as opposed to a precise surgical augmentation and improvement of the existing system, is not justified. Ghana can save considerable portions of the planned expenditure in a good variety of ways as suggested above.

If even we have to spend money in collecting new data then it is the NIA which must do so and complete its database and National Identification process, which we were promised would be complete by now.

The NIA data has more detail than the EC data, so the EC should be free to work with the NIA to compile its electoral data therefrom.

Alternatively, The EC’s present stores of data can be migrated onto a new system and therefore there is no need to collect entirely new information.

The proposed addition of Facial recognition is an exotic appendage which adds little after the person has been identified by fingerprint, name, location and other attributes. If the present fingerprint system doesn’t identify the person, there is little the additional facial recognition can do, and if it identifies the person, the facial recognition is superfluous even if desirable.

To suggest that the addition of facial recognition is grounds for acquiring a totally new system at great expense is unjustified and totally unacceptable.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The EC should:

1. Open up the electoral register for voters to verify their names.
2. Update the existing software in ways to make it more efficient.
3. Remove names of persons suspected dead or who do not verify.
4. Work with the vendors to prime the hardware and where needed replace faulty ones.
5. Acquire new hardware to augment the existing stock and work with the existing systems.

This is the more justified approach given time and resource considerations and indeed is the most technically feasible and defensible approach compared to totally replacing the entire system at great cost and running the nation through the trauma of another voter registration exercise.

We reject the EC’s informal, off the grapevine, costing of the alternatives to a full end-to-end replacement. We stand ready to debate the EC in any forum it prefers about its costing.
We need to bear in mind that the NIA has struggled to complete its exercise in 3 years, so the EC purporting to do this in less than 1 year suggests a very stressful time for everyone with no guarantees of success, but a definite requirement for huge resource expenditure.

As a nation, if there is need for collecting fresh data on citizens, the more appropriate, most lawful and financially responsible and justified approach will be to:

1. let the NIA (The legally mandated Authority for collecting national identification data) collect and process the information.
2. The NIA should then send the EC the subset of information it needs for the purpose of election.
3. The EC can then use that information to update its systems.

This way the nation moves forward and avoids the wasteful duplication of efforts at great expense

SIGNED BY THE UNDERLISTED ORGANISATIONS:

Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC)
IMANI Africa
SEND Ghana
Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA)
Financial Accountability and Transparency – Africa (FAT-Africa)
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
Youth Bridge Foundation
West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)
Citizens Movement against Corruption (CMaC)
Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC)
Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII)
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF)
Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG)
Parliamentary Network Africa (PNA)

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“In relation to the current investigation by EOCO, it is abundantly clear that jurisdiction over the investigation and prosecution of corruption and corruption related offences has been entrusted to the Office of the Special Prosecutor under Section 79 of the OSP Act 2017,” the press statement read.

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On November 5, 2019, EOCO launched an investigation into the alleged public procurement breaches carried out by the Auditor-General and one of his deputies in the purchase of vehicles for the Audit Service. The Auditor-General has rubbished the allegation.

Read the statement below:

A release by CSOs said even though Mr Dormelevo was vigorously pursuing his constitutionally-mandated functions and acting without fear or favour in auditing and surcharging a number of state institutions he has courted the anger of some ruling party supporters.

The CSOs said they believed the purported procurement procedural challenge for which the Mr Dormelevo was currently being harassed could have been cured but various state agencies decided to teach the Auditor General a lesson.

The CSOs have, therefore, given reasons for which they believe the Auditor-General is being undermined.

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Reasons for which CSOs believe the Auditor-General’s work is being undermined include:

• An on-going feud between the Audit Service Board and the Auditor General.
• The non-approval of the concurrent application for ratification by PPA despite establishing that there was value for money and found no malfeasance or dissipation of public money by the Auditor-General.
• EOCO’s decision to still investigate the matter in the first place, after the PPA has established value for money, and had not found any malfeasance or dissipation of public money.
• The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), an NPP-affiliated pressure group calling for the Attorney General to take action on the PPA report, as well as calling for the removal of the Auditor General.

Read the Statement below: