The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is not enthused over how the Electoral Commission is handling issues ahead of the November 7 general elections
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According to Nana Akufo-Addo, information privy to him indicate Ghana is likely to miss the election date because “there is an air of uncertainty about the whole preparatory process.”
Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the new Ambassador of the United States of America to Ghana Robert Porter Jackson, Nana Addo entreated the EC to provide a level playing field for all political parties.
“We continue to be concerned about the way the EC is handling issues ahead of the November 7 election. The procedures and steps being taken for the election appear to be still up in the air. There is an air of uncertainty about the whole preparatory process towards November 7. We in the NPP are not interested in a sham democracy,” the leader of the main opposition party in Ghana stressed.
He added: “I am saying so because the conditions of living of our people at the moment are as bad as I have ever seen them. The impoverishment and the difficulties they are going through are placing a great deal of strain on them. Even the date for November 7, as I am hearing from our Members of Parliament, might even be missed. It is, therefore, important that an air of confidence in the electoral process is felt by all. We need to assure our people that if it is change that they want, or if they want to maintain a government in office, they should be able to get it from our electoral process. This is how our democracy can be strengthened.”
Accompanied by the Political Chief at the US Embassy, Robert Carlson, the purpose of Ambassador Jackson’s call on Nana Akufo-Addo was formally to introduce himself as the new US Ambassador to Ghana, following his arrival in the country in January this year.
The NPP flagbearer and Ambassador Jackson discussed issues bordering on governance, security and the economy of Ghana, as well as the fostering of bilateral and trade relations between the two countries.
On the issue of the transfer of the two Guantanamo Bay detainees (Gitmo 2) to Ghana, which has generated a huge debate in Ghana, the US Ambassador explained to Nana Akufo-Addo that the transfer was done with the understanding that the United States will be responsible for the upkeep of the detainees for 2 years, stressing that there are similar agreements in 55 other countries.
Ambassador Jackson assured that the two detainees do not pose a threat to Ghana’s security, as they were vetted thoroughly before being transferred to Ghana. He, noted, however, that “I understand Ghanaians are concerned, and this is largely because of misinformation and lack of information.”
Nana Akufo-Addo, in his response to the issue of Gitmo 2, noted that the issue was badly handled by the Mahama government, and had the potential of undermining the excellent relationship between Ghana and the United States of America.
The NPP flagbearer explained that “none of the institutions of State, not even Parliament, were consulted on the issue. Political parties were not consulted before this decision was taken. Not surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians and civil society were strongly against this decision.”
He, however, added that “even though we have strived and will continue to strive for strong ties of co-operation between our two countries, we recognise that, at the end of the day, decisions that are taken must serve the mutual interest of the two partners. Ghanaians are yet to be persuaded that this decision was in our national interest.”
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