Sir John Donates GH¢2k To Support Intensify Education On Limited Voter Registration Exercise

Report by Francis MENSAH (Adwenpa-Hene)

In the Atwima Nwabiagya South of the Ashanti Region, Vice Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Hon. John Kwame Duodu, popularly known as ‘Sir John’, made a donation of 2,000 Ghana cedis (GH 2,000) to the Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).

Sir John, who is also the Ashanti Regional TESCON Patron, explained in an exclusive interview with Daily Searchlight/MyGhanaMedia.com that the donation is a part of his commitment to support the activities of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) to intensify public education regarding the ongoing 2023  limited voter registration exercise in the constituency and beyond in order to enhance the efforts of the Assembly, Members of Parliament, and the government at large.

He pressed the executives of the New Patriotic Party to encourage all unregistered adults and young people aged 18 and older in their polling stations to register at their respective EC District Offices.

He said it is now crucial that everyone who is eligible to register to vote do so since it is the only way to ensure that they will be allowed to cast a ballot in the upcoming general elections.

Additionally, he pointed out that the exercise gives unregistered voters the chance to participate in the democratic governance of our nation by having the power to choose the next President of Ghana as well as the Member of Parliament for their constituency.

According to him, to make this process a success, the NCCE must be resourced by the government to educate Ghanaians of voting age who do not have voter ID cards on the need to register as soon as the exercise begins.

“At every level of the country, the NCCE should be able to make sure that the citizenry gets to hear the information about the limited voter registration exercise’, he said.

Sir John emphasized that it is important for the teaming supporters of both the NPP and NDC to ensure the EC has a smooth registration exercise. He added that the usual violent approach to solving issues during such exercises should be a thing of the past.

“I humbly advise that we use a peaceful approach and lay down procedures for addressing misunderstandings that may arise regarding the age and nationality of registrants. At this time, security agencies should also be deployed to all registration centers so that violent altercations can be controlled amicably”.

He indicated, “In building a formidable democracy and ensuring that the future of Ghana becomes brighter, we need to jealously protect our democracy. Let’s not allow partisan politics to divide us. We are better together and worse apart”.

He humbly urged young people who had reached the age of 18 or older to participate in this crucial election because their choice will have a significant impact on what Ghana will look like in the future and because it will give them the chance to support Ghana’s development goals. “Your vote is your power. Come all, and let’s get involved in building our nation, Ghana, together for ourselves and posterity.”

Beginning the 12th day of September 2023 to the 2nd day of October 2023, the Electoral Commission of Ghana will embark on a limited voter registration exercise for all Ghanaians who just turned 18 years of age and above, as well as Ghanaians who couldn’t register to vote with their ID during the last registration exercise.

All stakeholders must join forces to ensure the success of the exercise. This exercise is intended to register the many eligible voters who don’t have voter’s ID cards to enable them to vote in 2024.