Be firm, resolute - GUTA boss to EC Chair

Dr Joseph Obeng, President of the Ghana National Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has asked the general public to respect the independence of the Electoral Commission and allow it to carry out its constitutional mandate.

He called on the EC to be resolute and firm in its decision in relation to the compilation of the new voters register ahead of the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Dr Obeng further called on all Ghanaians to also protect the peace of this country by not stampeding the elections management body.

The decision by the EC to compile a new electoral role for the polls this year has met opposition from some political parties including the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the All Peoples Congress (APC).

The opposers believe that the timing for the exercise is bad given that Ghana has few months to go into the elections.

But the EC has said the exercise will start in April, hence has started preparations towards the compilation.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Tenants of Makola Shopping Mall Association, a branch of the GUTA in Accra on Tuesday February 4, Dr Obeng said : “GUTA does not indulge in partisan politics but that does not mean that GUTA cannot express its opinion on national political issues.

“Private sector businesses cannot grow without peace in the country therefore it should be the responsibilities of the citizens irrespective of their trade or profession to promote and protect the relative peace in the country

“We have heard and still hearing the issues about the compilation of the new voters register. We have also heard about the Inter-party Advisory Committee, the Eminent Persons Committee, political parties and other bodies on the voters register.

“We will like to advice that the Independence of the Electoral Commission should be recognized by all Ghanaians respected and allow them to work without any fear or favour

“They are mandated by the constitution to organize and manage elections in the country as an independent body. As a result we want the Electoral Commission to be firm, resolute in the discharge of their duty as enshrined in the 1992 constitution and ensure that the 2020 elections are conducted in a transparent, free and fair for all.”