Press Statement by the NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERS FORUM

PRESS STATEMENT

Press Statement by the NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERS FORUM (NYLF), a non partisan civil society organization released on Thursday 30th April, 2015 at Rexmar Hotel Kumasi, Ghana

TOPIC

In the matter of the appointment of a New Chairman of the Electoral Commission, (EC Boss); LET THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION WORK.

Preamble

Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the media. Thank you all very much for your swift response to our invitation to help us disseminate this very important information as part of our contribution towards the education and sensitization of the General Public of a very interesting yet a sensitive National issue that has the tendency to undermine our democratic governance as a country. It is very amazing most Ghanaians seemed almost confused about the process of appointing members of the Electoral Commission (especially who becomes the next chairman of the commission) when such matter has been clearly and unambiguously addressed by the 4th Republican Constitution; the Supreme Law of the land and the principal guidance to our otherwise fledging democratic system. Due to the very sensitive nature of this issue and its potential to create electoral dispute (political conflict), the National Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) deem it very necessary and our cardinal civic responsibility to help educate and sensitize Ghanaians both home and abroad about the due legitimately laid down procedure of the issue as enshrined in the National Constitution.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE CONFERRED ON ANY SITTING PRESIDENT OF GHANA BY THE FOURTH REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION (SUPREME LAW OF GHANA)

LADIES AND GENTLEMN, Article 43 which comes under chapter 7 of our National Constitution that deals with the “representation of the people” explicitly, categorically and emphatically talks about the existence, composition, criteria (qualifications), terms and conditions of service of members of the Electoral Commission (I.e. is the seven member commission with a Chairman, two Deputy Chairman and four other). Clause 2 of Article 43 further mandate the President of Ghana at any point in time to appoint members of the commission in agreement with article 70 of the same constitution. Fellow Ghanaians, the language used by the constitution on this matter is very clear, simple and has no any form of ambiguity. Article 70 clause 2 of the National Constitution further states that “The President shall, act on the advice of the Counsel of State, appoint the Chairman, two deputy Chairmen and other members of the Electoral Commission.” In fact the Article solely vests the power to appoint other public servants in the President of Ghana (examples are the CHRAJ Commissioner, Audit General, and Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund and so on). In the light of the above related facts, it will be ultra varies unconstitutional to do anything otherwise to the stipulated constitutional provisions unless Article 43 and 70 are either amended or repealed from the fourth Republican Constitution of Ghana, thus are Supreme Law as a state. Please we call on all good and well meaning Ghanaians to uphold sincerely the details of the Constitution (both in spirit and letter) in other not to undermine the Supreme Law of the land within whose confines all our actions and inactions must be measured either the government or the governed. Let us not set any bad precedence which would cause our dear Nation in future.

HISTORICAL PRECEDENCE AND ANTECEDENT

Fellow Ghanaians, we hope that we all can recall the opportunity offer to all Presidents since the inception of the fourth Republic in 1992 to appoint members of the Commission anytime a vacuum is created within it. In fact the outgoing Commissioner, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan was not the first Chairman of the then interim National Electoral Commission (INEC) which oversaw the 1992 Parliamentary and Presidential Elections whose outcome was contested and further boycotted by the then opposition political parties (though he was a member). The then President Jerry John Rawlings elevated Dr. Afari Gyan to the position of Chairman who since then has presided over all General Elections and District Assembly Elections till late. Similarly, former President J. A. Kufuor also had the opportunity to appoint four of the current members of the Commission in consultation with the then Counsels of State under his administration from 2001-2008. Last but not the least, the Administration of the late Prof. J. E. A Mills also had similar opportunities in appointing and elevating some members of the current Commission. Please Ghanaians let avoid any unnecessary agitations and suspicions which has the tendency of creating avoidable tension, electoral dispute and further antagonism of the Electoral Commission even before the next General Election in 2016.

THE ADMONISHMENT

THE WATCHDOG ROLE OF THE MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATION IN PROTECTING THE CONSTITUTION.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, it very disappointing, shameful and very embarrassing how certain Civil Society organizations sponsored by politicians seeks to create unnecessary tension and incite uninformed Ghanaians to antagonize the Electoral Commission which has the sole constitutional mandate to organize and to conduct elections in Ghana. Even more dangerous is how some members of the media and the academia seem to have joined the unnecessary chorus. In as much as we agree that certain activities of the Electoral Commission needs to be smoothen to increase public confidence in the future activities of the Commission. Let us not allow people with mischievous mind and agenda to plunge this country into chaos and political anarchy in the run up to the 2016 General Elections. It is a big challenge to all Ghanaians, the government, our security agencies, opposition political parties, civil society organization, the clergy, the academia, traditional authorities, religious bodies, students, the youth and indeed all well meaning Ghanaians. Let us all jealously guard against the stability, peaceful and harmonious co-existence of all ethnic groups and not take for granted our relatively united and peaceful country. Arise all Youth of Ghana for our only country, for we have “ONE GHANA, ONE PEOPLE, ONE DESTINY.

To conclude, I quote a popular saying from Ken Saro Wiwa, the late Nigeria Novelist and TV broadcaster- “The worst sin on earth is the failure to think. It is thoughtlessness that has reduced Africa to beggardom to famine, poverty and diseases. The failure to use creative imaginations has reduced Africans to the status of mimic men and consumers of the product of other imaginations”. God save Ghana.

Thank you and God bless us all

Michael Kwabena Ampong

Executive Director.

National Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF)

Cc

All media House

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