Afari Gyan is an institutional memory; tap into his knowledge – Former EC Director

A former Chief Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Kwame Damoah Agyemang has described a former chairperson of the Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan as an institutional memory vis-à-vis recent scandals that have hit the state institution.

The former Chief Director of the Commission is, therefore, recommending that the upcoming Chair, orients its staff to spell out EC’s functions and roles and augment them with institutional memories with the likes of ex-EC Chair, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan as a resource they can tap into.

In an interview monitored by MyNewsGh.com on Adom FM’s Burning Issues, Mr Kwame Damoah said: “all the things happening now at the Commission did not occur while I was a Chief Director because, during my time, people did not engage in such disgraceful acts”.

His comment comes on the back of the dismissal of EC Chair, Mrs. Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Amadu Sulley and Georgina Opoku Amankwah by President Akufo-Addo following a petition by some Ghanaians and civil rights activists and the recommendations of a committee of enquiry by the Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, which found the two officials liable of breach of vital procedures.

Mr Damoah asserts that the disgrace stems from lack of proper cooperative governance strategy at the commission. He has therefore proposed that the Council of State upon consultation with all registered political parties, recommend a candidate to the President to assume the office since it upholds the foundation of every democracy.

He has advised against leaving the position vacant because of the numerous elections pending.

Mr Damoah Agyemang says it saddens him to know “there has not been any Chief Director since I left office” whilst the work at the Commission requires a cooperation between the Commissioners and Director.