New EC boss must be neutral – Methodist Bishop

Bishop of the Obuasi Diocese of the Methodist Church, Rt. Rev. Stephen Richard Bosomtwi-Ayensu has called for the involvement of all major stakeholders in the selection and appointment of a new head of the Electoral Commission (EC).

He has pleaded with the appointing machinery to seek the face of God in the appointment of the chairman of EC, which he said calls for proper consultation. The Bishop said a transparent process would ensure peace and avert chaos.

Bishop Bosomtwi-Ayensu noted that, the 2016 election is important for the peace of the nation and called on Ghanaians to Put their acts together to ensure that the election does not trigger bloodshed.

The Methodist Bishop who shared ideas on a wide range of issues while interacting with news men at Obuasi last Friday suggested that political parties must not be left out in the consultation for the selection of a new head for the EC.

He said since they (political parties) are at the forefront of the election, their views must be respected. Rt. Rev. Bosomtwi-Ayensu said whoever is appointed to replace Dr. Afari-Djan must be neutral and a bit of a Christian, in order to serve not only individuals but the nation Ghana at large. “He must be a real referee and neutrality must be his hallmark”, he noted.

The Bishop, whose six-year tenure of office expires in September, this year, said Ghana should learn lessons from the positive aspect of the Nigerian polls by capitalizing on the 85% acceptance of the results.

Talking about the economy, Bishop Bosomtwi-Ayensu said Ghanaians have lost hope in the Ghanaian leadership because the government has always disappointed the people.

According to him, the government is a big liar because it is playing tricks on the people, hence the loss of confidence in the government, because trust which is key in governance has become eroded. The Bishop, therefore, recommended that the government cuts down on the borrowing spree because that mechanism it adopted has not achieved any positive results.

He said since a borrower is always a slave to the lender, the Ghana government must do practical analysis of IMF conditions. Bishop Bosomtwi-Ayensu said in social Life the position governments take has an effect on the people and called on the government to reverse decisions in relation to IMF conditions to make life comfortable for the people by going for reviews of the conditions attached to the IMF bail out.

He said unemployment is a recipe for unrest hence the alarming increase in the rate of crime. He said the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is now in shambles and paralyzed so much that the citizenry does not feel its positive impact.

Bishop Bosomtwi-Ayensu suggested that homes, offices, workplaces and churches are adequately equipped with First Aid facilities to help mitigate against unforeseen health attacks and emergencies.

He also noted that the School Feeding Programme (SFP) is dying out and urged the government to take care of the people as a nation by ensuring continuity of national programmes and Policies.