Stop bastardising EC, state institutions – Presby Clerk  

Political actors and the public have been asked to stop bastardising state institutions as Ghana goes to the polls in on December 7, 2024, the Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Rev. Dr Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor has urged.

He said unconstructive criticisms, debasing and lambasting of institutions such as the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Judiciary did not augur well for Ghana’s democracy and had the potential to create political tension, fear and panic.

“I think we are putting unnecessary burden and pressure on some of the institutions. Not just the institutions, but the persons who run those institutions. We should allow them to do their work,” he said during an exclusive interview with Graphic Online's Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson.

He said despite Ghana’s stable democracy and electoral successes, the EC always faced unjustifiable criticisms and accusations from politicians and political parties during every election cycle, a situation he described as unfair and a drawback to the democratic development of the country.

“I like it when the EC said that it can never change the results in Accra and that everybody should be so vigilant at the polling stations. We should drive this seriously into all the political parties and the public,” he said.

“I think we are putting unnecessary burden and pressure on some of the institutions. Not just the institutions, but the persons who run those institutions. We should allow them to do their work,” he said during an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra.

The clerk said despite the country’s stable democracy and electoral successes, the EC always faced unjustifiable criticisms and accusations from politicians and political parties in every election cycle, a situation he described as unfair and a drawback of the democratic development of the country.

“I like it when the EC said that it can never change the results in Accra and that everybody should be vigilant at the polling stations. “We should drive this seriously into all the political parties and the public,” he said.

Rev. Dr Odonkor, however, called on the EC and other state institutions to increase their level of transparency to help curb the perception that they were protecting some interests, adding “there must be full transparency so that there is no iota of doubt about the way they operate.”

General Assembly

The clerk  was speaking ahead of the 24th General Assembly of the PCG which takes place at Kwahu Abetifi in the Eastern Region from the 14th to the 18th of this month on the theme: “Celebrating our heritage: Persisting in mission.”

It will be the first to be presided over by Rt Rev. Dr Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, who was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCG last year. It is expected to be attended by more than 250 representatives from the 21 Presbyteries of the PCG in Ghana and overseas.

The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and former President, John Dramani Mahama, and other dignitaries are all expected to attend the event as guests of honour.

Observation

The phenomenon of using the EC as a punching bag has become a political campaign strategy by political parties, especially the two largest political parties — the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

During the 2012 Elections, the EC, under the leadership of Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, came under heavy criticisms from the NPP which was then in opposition, with the party accusing the EC of working in the interest of the NDC, which was in power.

The NPP repeated the same strategy during the tenure of Charlotte Osei in the lead-up to the 2016 Elections. During the 2020 elections, the NDC reciprocated the strategy by also firing at the EC under the leadership of Jean Mensa, with a barrage of criticisms and accusations of she working in the interest of the NPP. The NDC has continued with the same strategy in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.

Politics of solutions

Rev. Dr Odonkor said politics in the country must focus on articulation of ideas and provide solutions to challenges confronting the nation. “If power is not for service, then why seek it. It is not for self-aggrandisement or to become a Lord over people.  It is to serve and make society better,” he said.

Rev. Dr Odonkor further urged the media to play its role of holding leaders and institutions accountable. He said the media as the conveyor of information was a powerful institution that could plunge the country into crisis if it did not carry out its responsibility professionally.

“I have a problem with the media. Some are very professional, but there are some who give out negative rhetoric that can put the country into trouble. “We must be mindful of what we say and not whip up hateful sentiments because when there is trouble, nobody will be safe in this country,” the clerk said.

Writer’s email: emma.hawkson@graphic.com.gh