The Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been consistent in its stance that a forensic audit of the voter register is unnecessary, instead advocating for the use of established processes to verify the register’s accuracy.

This position was reiterated by Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, then party’s General Secretary, in 2015, when he presented a position paper on the integrity of Ghana’s 2012 Biometric Voters’ Register.

However, recent developments have led to a shift in the NDC’s demands.

The party is now calling for an independent audit of the voter register, citing alleged irregularities and concerns over the integrity of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) setup.

This demand has been met with resistance from the EC, which has rejected the NDC’s call for a forensic audit.

The NDC’s concerns over the voter register’s integrity were highlighted by the current National Chairman of the NDC, Asiedu Nketiah in a recent interview.

He expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and the involvement of individuals with past affiliations to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the EC.
Asiedu Nketiah claimed that these individuals cannot operate EC machines effectively, and therefore, an independent audit is necessary to ensure the register’s credibility.

The NDC has announced a nationwide demonstration, dubbed the ‘enough is enough demonstrations,’ scheduled for Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to press home their demands.

The demonstration will span all 16 regional capitals across Ghana and is seen as a last resort to force the EC to address the party’s concerns.
The EC says there is no merit in NDC’s allegation.
The NDC Chairman, Asiedu Nketiah lamented the need for clarity on the issue. “The EC is ignoring the fact that the system is robust. What we are saying is based on the robustness of the system. It’s not about who conducts the investigation but understanding the source of the leakage.”

The NDC’s demands for an audit of the voter register have been met with skepticism by some, who argue that the party is trying to discredit the EC and undermine the electoral process.

However, the NDC maintains that its concerns are genuine and that an independent audit is necessary to ensure the integrity of the voter register.

In a surprising twist, Asiedu Nketiah’s previous stance on the issue has been resurrected, with some arguing that his 2015 position paper on the voter register’s integrity is still relevant today.

In the paper, Asiedu Nketiah emphasized the reliability of the Biometric Voters’ Register and argued that the existing mechanisms were sufficient to guarantee the integrity of the electoral process.

However, the current situation demands a different approach, according to the NDC.

John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has defended the party’s decision to protest against the Electoral Commission (EC).

The NDC has raised concerns about the accuracy of the voters’ register, arguing that discrepancies could compromise the integrity of the December 7 elections.

During a community engagement as part of phase two of his Greater Accra regional tour, Mahama encouraged Ghanaians to support the NDC’s call for a credible and transparent register to ensure a fair electoral process.

“And I just want to make a point that our issues with the Electoral Commission are not because we don’t like the commissioners or the EC. Our issue with the Electoral Commission is that we want peace during and after the election.

“So when we raise issues about the electoral process, it is because we want the EC to sit up and do its job so that all of us can have confidence in the electoral process.

“And the only way we can get the EC to do its job is to pressure the EC to do it. And that is why on the 17th of this month, that is next Tuesday, we are doing a demonstration at the EC office. And that demonstration is not only NDC, it is all Ghanaians who are willing to join the demonstration so that we go and tell EC to sit up and do its work properly so that we have a peaceful election. That’s the purpose of that demonstration.”

Ranking Member on Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee, Alhassan Suhuyini, has assured that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will ensure that all issues pertaining to illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, will be constructively addressed if the party wins the December 7 general elections.

Alhassan Suhuyini praised civil society organisations (CSOs) and labour unions for their ongoing efforts to combat the galamsey menace and assured that a John Dramani Mahama-led government will “engage constructively with civil society organizations and labour unions to implement comprehensive policies, as crafted in our manifesto, that will address both the economic realities that drive illegal mining and the urgent need for environmental protection.”

The Tamale North lawmaker in a statement also criticised what he calls the “clueless” and “pretentious” response of the current New Party Party (NPP) administration.

Suhuyini also called “upon President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government to without fail address the nation on the State of our Environment, outlining the immediate and decisive actions to be taken to address these illegal activities.”

Below is the full statement.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In light of the ongoing crisis surrounding illegal mining activities otherwise known as Galamsay in Ghana, we wish to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Civil Society Organizations and labour unions that recently have been at the forefront of advocacy, education, and community mobilization.

Their unwavering commitment to protecting our natural resources and advocating for sustainable practices has not only highlighted the urgent need for a collaborative approach to environmental conservation but has also galvanized the needed public awareness on the critical implications of these illegal practices.

However, it is with great concern that we must address the clueless and sometimes seemingly pretentious response from the government, and particularly the office of the President, regarding this pressing issue. The persistent pollution of our water bodies and the irreversible destruction of our cherished forest reserves pose significant threats to both our environment and public health.

Despite numerous promises and money sapping initiatives launched by the government, the situation continue to worsen as no progress has been made to effectively combat the galamsay menace, leaving many communities to bear severe consequences of the illegal mining activities.

The detrimental impacts of galamsay are widespread, affecting not just the environment but also the livelihoods of countless individuals who depend on clean water and healthy ecosystems. We call upon President Nana Akufo Addo and his government to without fail address the nation on the State of our Environment, outlining the immediate and decisive actions to be taken to address these illegal activities. This should include how to enforce the existing laws more rigorously, conducting thorough investigations especially on several allegations of the complicity of many government officials and party leaders, and holding accountable those already implicated by previous investigations in these destructive practices.

Moreover, we assure all concerned Ghanaians of the NDC and President Mahama’s future government commitment to engage constructively with civil society organizations and labour unions to implement comprehensive policies, as crafted in our manifesto, that will address both the economic realities that drive illegal mining and the urgent need for environmental protection. We acknowledge more than ever how essential it is for all stakeholders to work together to find sustainable solutions that preserve our natural resources for future generations.

We commend the efforts of those who have dedicated their time and resources to this crucial fight and reaffirm our solidarity with communities affected by the illegal mining menace. Together, we can advocate for and build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for Ghana.