Former President Jerry John Rawlings has described the establishment of an Eminent Advisory Committee by the Electoral Commission (EC) as a wise decision.
He believes that will help to remove the suspicions people have about the Commission.
Describing the committee members as people we must take pride in; Mr Rawlings said the last Commission suffered suspicions because it was appointed by the government in power.
He expressed the hope that the formation of the committee will help to remove doubts from people’s minds about the independence of the Commission.
Speaking during the launch of the committee at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Rawlings commended the Chairman of the Peace Council and member of the committee, Most Reverend Emmanuel Asante for helping to ease tensions when the Presidential election results delayed in 2016.
The intervention, he indicated, helped to calm nerves.
Commission Chairperson, Mrs Jean Mensa in outdooring the committee said the major rationale for its establishment was to demystify the Commission and prove its independence.
The committee, she stated will serve as a window between the Commission and the public, stating that while the committee will serve to inform the public on the workings of the Commission, the committee members will also serve to pass on concerns from various members of the public to the Commission.
Earlier on Monday when the Mrs Mensa called on Mr Rawlings at his office, he reiterated the fact that because people perceive the Commission as appendages of government the establishment of the committee will help to open the Commission to the populace.
He urged members of the committee to speak out on issues of national importance now so their voices will be recognized and appreciated when they speak out during the election period.
The 22-man committee chaired by former CHRAJ boss, Justice Emile Short and assisted by Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, a former President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), include Arch Bishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, Arch Bishop Palmer-Buckle, Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, Dr. Rose Mensah Kutin, Dr. Yaw Baah and Maulvi Mohammed Bin Sali as members.
Other members are Most Reverend Emmanuel Asante, Affail Monney, Nana Ato Dadzie, Sam Okudjeto, Tony Forson, Freda Duplan, Nana Kobina Nketsia V and Rev. Dr Cryril Fayose.
The rest are Rev. Dr Opuni Frimpong, Rev. Ekua Ofori Boateng, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, Rev. Dr Paul Frimpong Manso, Rev. Paul Kwabena Boafo and Sheikh Nuhu Sharabutu.
Latest Stories
-
GNAT engages National Security on ‘See Something, Say Something’ anti-terrorism campaign
3 mins -
Actor Morgan Freeman permanently banned from entering Russia
48 mins -
Return or resign – Dome-Kwabenya constituents to Adwoa Safo
52 mins -
Latif Abubakar tackles child labour, trafficking with Christmas-In-May
1 hour -
Revive once vibrant town council for a better, clean environment – Volta NADMO Boss urges
1 hour -
Putin says he will open up grain and fertilizer exports if the West agrees to lift sanctions
1 hour -
Privileges Committee has formally written to Adwoa Safo; we are yet to get her response – First Deputy Speaker
2 hours -
Criss Waddle breaks long hiatus with new single ‘Take Me Back’ featuring Stonebwoy
2 hours -
Silver Society households on the increase: Future-ready bathrooms with the new Grohe Eurosmart
2 hours -
Forestry Commission to plant 3.7 million trees in northern Ghana
2 hours -
Yehowa Adom; a woman of faith, hard work and grace
2 hours -
Parliament must be adequately resourced to deliver on its mandate – Expert
3 hours -
NPP regional elections: 6 ‘suspicious’ persons arrested in Northern Region
3 hours -
Celebrities jam with Unilever as they launch Closeup Complete Fresh Protection
3 hours -
Residents of Nyoli benefit from project to address water crisis
3 hours