As the 2024 elections approach, the role of religious leaders in promoting peace, fairness, and accountability cannot be overstated. Ghana is a nation that thrives on its diversity, and it is crucial that every voice, not just those aligned with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is heard and respected.
During a recent media engagement, Bright Botchway, the National Deputy Director of the Traders and Artisans Network of the NDC, underscored the importance of religious leaders in advocating for a transparent electoral process.
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, led by Jean Mensa, has come under scrutiny for its handling of the voter register.
Allegations of an over-bloated register and potential biases favoring the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have raised concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections.
Botchway highlighted that the EC claims to have registered approximately 18.7 million eligible voters for the 2024 polls, a significant increase from the 17 million registered in 2020. This sharp rise has raised eyebrows, given Ghana’s projected population of 34.7 million, suggesting potential inflation of numbers.
Botchway urged religious leaders, who hold significant influence and respect within communities, to advocate for electoral integrity.
He stressed that they must remind the EC and all political parties that Ghana’s democracy belongs to every citizen, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“Any attempt to manipulate the voter register undermines the very foundation of our democracy and risks plunging the nation into chaos.”
He also expressed concern over the silence of the peace council on these issues, particularly President Akufo-Addo’s controversial remarks about not handing over power.
He called on religious leaders to speak out against any rhetoric or actions that threaten Ghana’s peace and stability.
“They should not wait until tensions escalate before they start preaching peace. Instead, they should be proactive in ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair, and credible from the onset.” he stressed
By Lawrence Odoom
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