News
Election 2024: Live telecast of IPAC meeting will ensure transparency – NDC
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reiterated its call for a live broadcast of the upcoming Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, October 1, as part of its commitment to ensuring transparency in Ghana’s electoral process.
This request follows a prior rejection by the Electoral Commission (EC), which declined a similar appeal from the NDC to televise discussions about discrepancies found in the Provisional Voters Register (PVR).
In a brief press statement issued on Monday, September 30, the EC urged all stakeholders attending Tuesday’s critical IPAC meeting to present evidence and data to support any discrepancies or concerns they have with the PVR.
The Commission emphasised that this collaborative approach would help address outstanding issues with the voters’ register.
The EC also noted that, despite repeated requests, the NDC has yet to provide the data backing its claims of discrepancies, for which the party is demanding a forensic audit of the PVR.
Speaking to Citi News, the NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Dr Tanko Rashid Computer, stressed that broadcasting the meeting live is crucial to gaining the trust and confidence of the Ghanaian public.
“We think that it’s very important we have this live broadcast because of the enormity of the issues at stake. Because the 2024 general elections hinge on the register, everything about the election is about a credible register,” he said.
According to him,“EC according to their response to us, is that we should come and they will indicate to us how they have resolved all the issues we are raising, then it is important that the media comes along to see what we are doing.”
He said,“Because it is this transparency everybody is looking for that is why we have sent them, it is an open-ended invitation we have given to them, and they should allow the media in. Why are they running away from the media if they don’t have anything to hide?.”
Source: Citinewsroom
News
Prof. Mike Oquaye accuses gov’t of ‘secret trial’ of Chief Justice
Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, has criticised the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what he described as the mishandling of the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
He is unhappy with the constitutional provision requiring the hearing of the Chief Justice’s case to be held in-camera.
“I am concerned about certain issues that I consider vital, particularly the trial in-camera provision. You will ask yourself what the rationale is for that provision in our constitution, what is its purpose, and if we are to give it a purposeful interpretation, where shall we go? The purpose is it to benefit the people of Ghana as a whole, that the Chief Justice must be trial in-camera…”
He added, “From the very beginning, the constitution tells us justice belongs to the people, it emanates from the people, justice belongs to all of us people, one may say that this provision could be advarance to the one that says trial must be done in-camera.” he said in an exclusive interview with JoyNews.
Prof. Oquaye also raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the process.
He argued that the judiciary must be insulated from political interference, adding that the current handling of the matter risks eroding confidence in the rule of law.
The Chief Justice was recently suspended following allegations of misconduct, after which a formal petition was submitted to President John Mahama, prompting the formation of a committee to investigate the matter.
The proceedings, however, have largely been conducted in-camera, drawing criticism from sections of the public and some legal minds.
While the NDC government maintains that the suspension was carried out in accordance with constitutional provisions, Prof. Quaye argues that the secrecy surrounding the process undermines the principles of accountability and due process.
Source:Myjoyonline.com
News
Committee on Roads and Transport engages Transport Ministry
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport has paid a familiarization visit to the Ministry of Transport and its agencies to perform its legislative oversight and foster collaboration in Ghana’s transport sector.
The visit by the 17-member Committee led by its Chairman, Isaac Adjei Mensah, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Wassa East Constituency in the Western Region, was aimed at getting updates on ongoing projects and foster direct dialogue with agencies under the Ministry’s purview.
The Chairman of the committee described the visit as “a strategic and symbolic gesture” and emphasized the importance of direct engagement with sector leadership to enable informed legislative support.
The Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe outlined some reforms including a framework to regularize commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada by lowering the minimum rider age from 25 years to 21 years, which is near completion and will soon be presented to Parliament.
He also mentioned the reviving of Ghana’s national carrier via a public-private partnership, upgrading airport infrastructure, studying coastal routes to ease road congestion, opening a new DVLA branch in Adenta, and upgrading the Ghana Civil Aviation Training Academy.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry is in the process of procuring new buses for Metro Mass and STC.
The other Members of the visiting Committee were Chiwitey Dari Andrew, Vice Chairperson and MP for Sawla/Tuna/Kalba; Osei Nyarko Kennedy, MP for Akim Swedru and the Ranking Member; Francis Asenso-Boakye, MP for Bantama; Frimpong Kwame Ohene, MP for Asante Akim North; Cudjoe Doyoe Comfort, Ada MP; Marfo Ahenkorah Kofi, MP for Achiase; Mahama Toure Naser, Ayawaso East MP; Ziedeng Anwataazumo Bede, MP for Lawra and Mubarak Seid, MP for Sunyani East.
The Committee also visited the Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Training Centre to be acquainted with its functions and operations.
