Linda Ofori-Kwafo, Executive Director, GII
The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the local chapter of Transparency International has charged government to institute thorough investigations allegations emanating from the top three members of the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director of GII, Madam Linda Ofori-Kwafo, the anti-corruption organization is worried about the [ads1]current issues within the electoral commission which is a very important state institution that contributes significantly to the peace, security and democracy the country – Ghana is enjoying.
Madam Ofori-Kwafo said, there need to be a thorough investigation into the issues in order to protect the intergrity of the Commission.
“It appears the current impasse affects the very core of this non-negotiable quality and GII wishes to call on the government through the relevant state agencies, to take swift action to ensure that appropriate and thorough investigations are conducted into these matters. This is the only way to halt any further degeneration of the integrity of the Commission and restore public confidence in the organization.” – She said
Read the full statement:
The Commission is responsible for the conduct of elections in Ghana, which is the most important tenet of our democratic dispensation. The most crucial quality required of the Commission in exercising its mandate is a very high level of integrity.
It appears the current impasse affects the very core of this non-negotiable quality and GII wishes to call on the government through the relevant state agencies, to take swift action to ensure that appropriate and thorough investigations are conducted into these matters. This is the only way to halt any further degeneration of the integrity of the Commission and restore public confidence in the organization.
Though several issues have come to the fore as a result of these allegations that require investigations, GII is specifically calling for thorough investigations into the matters bothering on abuse of office and corruption. Specific mention can be made of the following allegations:
i. The Involvement of the two Deputy Chairpersons of the Commission in procurement
irregularities in May 2015 involving $22.3 and $16.4m for the purchase of BVDs
ii. The Deputy Chairperson signing contracts worth over GHS40m without requisite approval and
authorization.
iii. The Deputy Chairperson collection of GHC6m (Six million Ghana cedis) from political parties
for the conduct of party primaries without recourse to the structures of the Electoral
Commission
iv. The illegal vote transfers on the Voter management System by the Deputy Chairperson in
charge of Operations
Furthermore, GII calls on the office of the President to update Ghanaians on the status of the petition
received from the “concerned staff” of the Commission on the Chairperson, Mrs. Charlotte Osei.
GII also wish to commend EOCO for commencing investigations into earlier allegations.
Finally, GII wants to appeal to politicians to desist from the politicization of these matters and allow
due process to be followed in order not to undermine the importance of the Commission in Ghana’s
democratic process.
Signed:
Linda Ofori-Kwafo
Executive Director
NB: For Further Discussions:
Mrs. Mary Addah Michael Boadi
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