THE ASANTEHENE, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has tasked the Electoral Commission (EC) to be fair and transparent in the discharge of its duties in order to win the confidence of the various political parties and Ghanaians in general.
He stated that all stakeholders in the country’s electioneering process, especially the various political parties, would support the EC if the electoral body displayed signs that it is transparent and fair, ahead of the December presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Asantehene emphasized that the upcoming elections will be peaceful if all the major stakeholders have total confidence and trust in the EC, tasking the electoral body to work assiduously in a transparent and fair manner so that nobody would have doubts about its delivery.
He made the call when the Interior Minister, Prosper Bani and John Kudalor, the IGP, who were on a working tour of the Ashanti Region, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
Otumfuo suggested that an important and respected personality in the country, who is politically neutral, should be made to attend and witness EC/IPAC meetings to help stop the confusion that usually arises after such meetings.
Ideally, he said IPAC meetings were supposed to give a common platform for the various political parties and the EC to smoothly address all issues bothering them, but sadly, the main aim of IPAC meetings seems to have been defeated.
He condemned the violent attitudes and remarks of some politicians, noting that politics and election are about ideas to transform the country, adding that he was surprised that some politicians had resorted to unprovoked verbal attacks and belligerence.
Ghana, Otumfuo remarked, is the only place that Ghanaians could refer to as home, therefore he sternly cautioned politicians not to bring chaos into the country because of elections. He said it is important that the peace of the country is preserved to attract investors.
The Asante King lauded the police in the Ashanti Region for working hard to reduce violent crimes and acts of hooliganism in the region, and urged the police to arrest and prosecute any lawbreaker, irrespective of the person’s political affiliation.
He charged the Immigration Service to critically scrutinize the backgrounds of people and monitor them as they visit the country – Â especially as the Africa Union (AU) plans to foster free movements among Africans – so as to protect Ghanaians.
Otumfuo also expressed gross concern about the devastating effects of illegal mining in the country by Chinese nationals, stressing the need for the authorities concerned to make sure that Chinese who visit the country obey its laws.
He tasked the Ghana Prisons Service to address the feeding and accommodation needs of prisoners in the country.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi