President John Mahama has observed Ghana’s electoral processes would have been null without contributions of political researchers like Ben Ephson.
He lauded the pollster for his consistent delivery of apt analysis and projections on the outcome of elections held in Ghana.
The President made his observation in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Chief of Staff at the presidency, Prosper Bani, as he officially launched Ephson’s third book, a political survey research, titled 2012 & 2016 elections.
According to him, the author’s work over the years has become an important part of Ghana’s political history.
“…We must all give credit and show appreciation to the author of the book Ben Ephson who has taken such a long time off to focus on recording through research the true elements of our electoral processes throughout the book.”
The President who has read the first copy of the 2012 & 2016 elections has referenced it as a dependable material for all political scientists.
He said: “This is a book as a political scientist you must read. This is a book that places value on our admirable democratic culture. I believe it is a book, historical book and a great reference material for everyone interested in key aspects of Ghana's electoral culture.”
This is the third book the author has published on Ghana’s elections since his first one Countdown to 2004 Elections and his second Countdown to 2008 elections.
In the 311 pager book, Ephson chronicles Ghana’s electoral processes and culture with facts on the 2012 elections at both the presidential and parliamentary levels.
He also included the results of Ghana’s elections since 2004 and the levels of representation in parliament in 2008 and 2012.
The pollster also covered Ghana’s election petition hearing giving details and analysis of events within that time in history. He included summaries of some of the judgments and some provocations in court and gave an October-November 2013 impact of the petition on Ghanaians and the economy.
The President, who acknowledged his copious presentation of events, described him as an exemplary character worth emulating.
“Such a person must be recognised and the content of the book must become reflective in our daily assessment and engagements in our electoral process. Such initiatives and such endeavours must be something that becomes part of our daily learning processes as we continue to deepen and enrich our democratic electoral process.”
Ephson is the publisher and editor of an independent newspaper: the Daily Dispatch and the host of Ephson’s File on Starr 103.5FM in Accra and is well known for his bold election predictions.
The book launch was held in Accra and chaired by the 2012 flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party Dr. Abu Sakara, with complimentary remarks given by a leading member of the New Patriotic Party Dan Botwe. Among the high profile dignitaries who attended were former Chief of Staff Martey Newman, NHIS boss Sylvester Mensah, Member of Parliament of Ningo-Prampram ET Mensah and Reverend Father Campbell.
