Electorate in the Ejisu Constituency in the Ashanti Region have been asked to cast their votes in today’s by-election based on their needs for real long-term development in the area.
The Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms Kathleen Addy, said the culture of vote buying and other inducement to woo electorates only perpetuated impunity and undermined Ghana’s democracy.
In an exclusive interview with the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday, she said: “If we begin to give politicians the indication that we are looking for actual development and hold them accountable, they will begin to deliver.
“Finding money to share isn’t easy but they do so because it’s proved to work and Ejisu must serve as an example for politicians going into the December elections that they will be assessed and voted for based on their track record and not inducement.”
Ms Addy said today’s election must not be a “do or die affair” cautioning voters particularly the youth against allowing themselves to be used for violent acts.
“The loser must live to fight another day and the winner must be magnanimous in victory. Ejisu doesn’t belong to one group and like all other parts of Ghana it is entitled to fair representation and development.
“Whoever loses must graciously exit and prepare for the next one and the winner must be magnanimous in victory and extend a hand to all other candidates to serve the people’s interest,” she urged.
Describing elections as an “opportunity to move our democracy forward,” the chairperson further implored the Electoral Commission and the security agencies to be on top of their work to ensure a smooth and peaceful by-election.
The by-election has been occasioned by the demise of the 45-year-old New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for the constituency, John Kumah, on March 7, 2024, after a brief illness.
Six people are contesting for the seat, but it appears to be a two-horse race between, Kwabena Boateng and an independent candidate, Kwabena Owusu Adoumi, a former MP.
KINGSLEY E.HOPE reports from Kumasi that not much has been heard from the other four other candidates – Beatrice Boakye of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Esther Osei of the Convention People’s Party , Joseph Attakora and Gabriel Agyemang Joseph, both independent.
The NPP campaign witnessed more intensity when the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, joined the campaign trail during the final rally on Sunday.
Addressing the charged crowd, President Akufo-Addo dismissed claims that the NPP intended to manipulate the upcoming Ejisu by-election as alleged by Mr Aduomi.
He said that the NPP did not manipulate previous elections to secure Mr Aduomi’s two-term tenure as MP for the Ejisu Constituency on the party’s ticket.
The President expressed surprise over Mr Aduomi’s decision to contest in the upcoming by-election as an Independent Candidate describing the move as murky.
He appealed to the electorates to vote for the party’s candidate, Kwabena Boateng, to enable the NPP to maintain the majority in Parliament.
“We require a parliamentary majority. You’ve witnessed the challenges we face due to our current numbers in Parliament. Therefore, even if it’s just by one vote, we must secure a majority to fulfil our mandate. And that decisive vote rests with Kwabena Boateng,” he said.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
