Anyidoho attacks women’s groups for not defending EC boss

Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho has launched a scathing attack on women’s groups, accusing them of failing to come to the defence of the Electoral Commission, Boss Charlotte Osei.

According to him, the women’s right groups have surprisingly turned blind eyes and deaf ears to the needless consistent attacks on the person of Mrs Osei by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Ever since the EC Boss was appointed barely a year ago, she has always been on the wrong side of the NPP following what the party describe as her intransigent stance on issues concerning the voters register especially as the November elections draw near.

There have been almost a month-long contention over grey areas in the Supreme court verdict which concerns the names of persons who used the NHIS cards in registering before the 2012 elections.

The Supreme Court in a ruling Thursday, May 4, 2016 described Ghana’s electoral register as “reasonably inaccurate” ordering the EC to clean it up.

But a statement signed by the EC Boss, said the Supreme Court’s ruling did not instruct the Commission to delete the names of those who registered with their NHIS cards. The NPP is of the view that her posture and conduct is not the best to ensure credible elections.

Speaking on Okay FM, Friday, Mr Anyidoho condemned the women Civil Society Organizations for being selective in whom they throw their support behind, and are quick to talk only when the NDC does things they consider as wrong.

“When ex President Kufour appointed Georgina Wood as Chief Justice, what didn’t we see in this country, the fanfare, thanksgiving service etcetera, all because of this single appointment? That was what it ought to be, so they did that…they thanked President Kufour.

“Moving forward, Charlotte Osei was appointed the first woman Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), we didn’t hear anything…no problem. Then now she moves to become the first female Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, we still didn’t hear any speeches from the women organizations, no problem. Now the NPP are insulting this woman on a daily basis, all this debasing of womanhood and trying to debase the person of Charlotte Osei, these women groups are quiet, be it WILDAF, FIDA or Women’s Aglow, they are all quiet, why is it so? Why can’t they come out and say please deal with the issues and stop attacking her person.

“When Frances Essiam was assaulted by some NDC young men after insulting ex President Rawlings at the NDC congress in Koforidua, at a time she had left the party, we heard these women groups condemning the action. As for that one they will talk about it because it’s the NDC which has done wrong but if the NPP does wrong they don’t talk about it. They should continue, God is watching all of us.