Nkoranza registers 1,881 in 22 centres on Tuesday

Nkoranza (B/A), March 18, GNA- A total of 1,881 voters registered their names at 22 voting centres in Nkoranza on Tuesday when the registration exercise began.

Records GNA gathered from the centres indicated that the Roman Catholic Primary School centre at Kissiman recorded the highest number of 123 names.

The 21 centres recorded between 42 and 113 names, whilst Nkoranza-Kissiman Anglican Primary School centre recorded the lowest number of 42 names.

Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom, Omanhene of Nkoranza Traditional Area and the Queen mother Nana Yaa Dudaa Kanii were among those who registered at the Nkoranza-Effah JSS centre.

The Nkoranza District Electoral Officer, Mr. Kwabena Asante told the Ghana News Agency that 376 officials had been assigned to work at the 188 registration centres in the district.

Two agents each for the NPP and the NDC have also been assigned to the centres to observe proceedings, he added.

The two parties are the only ones operating in the district.

The District Electoral officer said the turn out of the people at the centres was encouraging and expressed the hope that their number would increase as Tuesday was the market day in Nkoranza. There have been no problems since the exercise began and Mr. Asante advised the people to register early enough to avoid rush at the end of the exercise.

Women urged to participate fully on the registration exercise

Nkoranza (B/A), March 18, GNA- Miss Joyce Nyamadie, Nkoranza district director of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has urged eligible women to fully participate in the voter registration exercise.

She was addressing a meeting of members of the Presbyterian Church Women's Fellowship at Nkoranza on their reproductive rights and their right to vote.

The CHRAJ director stressed, "since women play an important role in national development, it behoves on them to exercise their civic rights and responsibilities by voting at any elections and referendum". It is therefore incumbent on women to register their names in the voters' register to enable them to exercise their franchise during the December general election, Ms Nyamadie added.

She cautioned them against electoral offences including multiple registration and impersonation, "since any involvement in these offences will land you into trouble".

Madam Esther Sarfowaa, a student midwife at the Nkoranza St. Theresa's Hospital and member of the fellowship urged the women to ensure that pregnant women attended antenatal check ups regularly and to deliver at recognised health centres and hospitals.

She advised the women that anger, irritation, profuse sweating, dryness in their private parts and reduced interest in sexual activities were symptoms of menopause and they should not be worried if they encountered these.

Mrs. Mary Gyamo, President of the Fellowship commended the CHRAJ director for organizing the programme to sensitise members on political and health issues to help enhance their lifestyles.

EC official advises officers to be non-partisan with their work

Bechem (B/A), March 18, GNA- Nana Owusu-Konadu, returning officer of the Electoral Commission (EC) in Tano District of Brong Ahafo has advised registration officials not to perform their work on party interests.

Briefing about 102 registration officials at Bechem, he warned that any registration official that condoned with any party agent to commit any misdemeanour would be dealt with accordingly.

The returning officer appealed to party agents to eschew harassment and intimidation to help ensure a credible register.

Nana Owusu-Konadu asked registration officials to accommodate different views but cautioned them to inspect the accreditation of party agents before they are allowed to work at the centres.

He said: "registration officials cannot challenge anyone who wants to register ".

"The only thing a registration official can do when a person is challenged is to register the one and fill a challenge form for that person", he said.