An organisation called Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Responsiveness in Ghana (STAR-Ghana) has given out almost $4.84 million to some 45 non-governmental organisations, media organisations and other non-state actors to undertake activities that would ensure free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections in December. The funds was pooled from DFID, DANIDA and the European Union and it was intended to focus citizens’ attention on issues rather than personalities with the view to ensure that citizens fully participated in activities meant to uphold the integrity of the elections. Executive Director of STAR-Ghana, Lawrencia Adams told Adom News the initiative was underscored by STAR-Ghana’s recognition of the critical role that civil society and non-state actors had to play in consolidating Ghana’s democracy in order to ensure an effectively organised election devoid of intimidation and conflict. She said the beneficiary organisation responded to a competitive call last November and were selected from a total of 99 applications. Lawrencia Adams said those selected had at least three years proven track record in election or good governance related activities, and they each presented issues-based proposals, devoid of partisan political activities and interventions. “Some have chosen to monitor hot spots in some communities and mobilize people to prevent confrontation in those communities – some have chosen to hold issues-based parliamentary debates in selected communities and some are also doing continues media campaign for peaceful election guided by a code of ethics to ensure insult-free discuss in the media,” she said. The beneficiary media organisations include the National Media Commission (NMC), $100,000; Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), $200,000; Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), $150,000, and Ghana Community Radio Network, $200,000. Lawrencia Adams each of the beneficiary have signed a contract and committed themselves to apply the money purposely for what it was given and if any of them failed to do so, they would not only lose the grant but would also face criminal prosecution.