Ghana is a civilized country, not a jungle - Kwamena Duncan slams politicians

Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan has urged opposers of the Electoral Commission's decision to compile a new voters' register to cease resorting to the court of public opinion.

Kwamena Duncan condemned the act where political actors make inflammatory comments and play on the emotions of Ghanaians, all in an attempt to whip up resentment against the EC, stating emphatically that Ghana is a civilized country which respects rule of law.

The Central Regional Minister made this comment on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' on Wednesday when contributing to discussions regarding the statements of IPRAN leader Bernard Mornah.

Beating War drums?

Bernard Mornah, commenting on the EC's decision, allegedly stated that “we’ll beat and kill each other” should the Commission fail to address their agitations on the registration exercise.

He has been invited by the Criminal Investigation Department along with Major Osahene Boakye Gyan (rtd) who also made similar comments.

"If They Want It, They Will Get It!"

Last month, Major Osahene Boakye Gyan (rtd), speaking on Neat FM's ''Ghana Montie'' show, echoed NDC's accusations that the EC is in collusion with the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the elections for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, hence the Commission's decision to use only the Ghana card and passport for the new voters' registration exercise.

The former military capo sounded a note of caution by pointing out that most electoral disputes in Africa have resulted in civil wars and Ghana is not immune to it, and further warned that "should the EC continue to toe the line of their paymasters, it will certainly spell doom for this country."

" . . it is political motivation that led to the dismissal of Madam Jean Mensah as the EC Chairperson by the current administration. They want to beef up the numbers so they can win simply because they don't have confidence in their winning numbers, otherwise, they won't tamper with it...But more importantly...post-independence Africa, all crises and civil wars have been on the back of disputed electoral results. What they are doing now, they are driving us into a civil war and if they want it, they will get it," he screamed.

'Treasonable' Remarks

Some have labelled the statements by these politicians as "treasonable".

The Regional Minister warned politicians to refrain from making comments that seek to incite people to violence.

"We're not in the jungle for you to say you disagree with an arrangement in the jungle; so, you'll kill or spear people. We're not in the jungle. It is a civilized society governed by rules and laws," he pointed out.

To him, once the electoral management body is clothed with the authority to act in the best interest of Ghanaians, it should be allowed to execute its mandate constitutionally.

"Let no one say he or she has extra-constitutional means other than the Electoral Commission. When President Mahama said four years ago that the Electoral Commission is independent, he was right...so why are they now butting heads over the Commission's actions?...allow the EC' to work within the confines of the constitution," he stated.