President Nana Akufo-Addo has sworn into workplace three members of the Electoral Fee (EC) of Ghana. They’re Reverend Akua Ofori Boateng, Salima Armed Tijani and Dr Peter Appiahene.

Their appointment is in step with Article 43 (1 and a pair of) of the 1992 structure which states that, “there shall be an Electoral Fee which shall encompass a md, two deputy chairmen, and 4 different members. The members of the fee shall be appointed by the president underneath Article 70 of this structure.”

High quality work
At a short swearing-in ceremony held at Jubilee Home in Accra on Monday (20 March 2023), President Akufo-Addo administered the three key oaths (of workplace, allegiance and secrecy) to the three new electoral commissioners.

He famous that they “have come to workplace some 21 months to the 2024 basic election and at a time when Ghana seeks to entrench her credentials as a beacon of democracy in Africa”.

“It’s the high quality of your work that can reassure the Ghana folks that the democratic system of presidency that they’ve chosen for his or her governance might be correctly nurtured by an electoral system that enables their voice to be plainly and loudly heard,” President Akufo-Addo stated.

“As you start work, you will see that no honeymoon interval, neither will you be afforded the prospect to settle in to your new duties. I’ve, however, confidence in you and in your talents to surmount the hurdles earlier than you.

“Bear in mind now greater than ever, that each resolution you are taking might be scrutinised to the letter. That, nevertheless, mustn’t scare you and, certainly, let nobody attempt to cow you into submission.

“Quite the opposite, let this expectation of the Ghanaian individuals spur you on to nice heights and, above all, work in order that the desire of the Ghanaian individuals is upheld,” Akufo-Addo added.

Poised to work
Dr Appiahene, in his response on behalf of the three new electoral commissioners, expressed their gratitude to the president for his or her appointment and to the Council of State for supporting their nomination.

“We’re enormously humbled, honoured, motivated, and we lastly see this appointment as a way of obligation,” Dr Appiahene stated.

“We additionally settle for this appointment within the symbolism of a contemporary journey forward of us, a journey to fulfill the excessive expectation of the varied stakeholders, particularly the over 31 million Ghanaians.

“We’re conscious of the large duties and duties that include it. We wish to state that we’re poised, ready to ship and to contribute to the event of our democracy, particularly on this digital period,” he added.

The EC
The Electoral Fee is without doubt one of the governance establishments offered for underneath the 1992 structure.

The Fee was established by the Electoral Fee Act (Act 451) of 1993. It was arrange purposely to handle the conduct of all public elections and referenda, to deal with all issues instantly associated to the conduct of elections in Ghana.

The EC is presently chaired by Jean Mensa. Dr Bossman Eric Asare is the deputy chairman accountable for company affairs and Samuel Tettey is the second deputy chairman answerable for operations.