Ghana’s National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Sharubutu has admonished the leadership of the Electoral Commission to be careful in rolling out electoral reforms head of the 2020 national elections, bearing in mind that any wrong decision could generate chaos for Ghana.
Sheikh Osmanu Sharubutu said his outfit was however ready to join and assist the Electoral Commission to educate Ghanaians on the need to adhere to electoral laws and observe peace.
The Muslim leader gave the advice when the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa led a team to visit the office of the National Chief Imam in Accra and that of Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) secretariat last Tuesday.
The visit formed part of the Electoral commission’s agenda to make its electoral process more open to the public and stakeholders.
Chief Imam’s office
The meeting at the Chief Imam’s office was attended by the Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Sharubutu and some executives from the Muslim community.
The two offices also agreed to work together in ensuring that Ghanaians understood the various electoral processes ahead of the 2020 election.
Bishops conference
At the CBC secretariat, the EC team met with the leadership and had a fruitful dialogue on the various electoral reforms being rolled out by the commission.
The meeting also created a platform for the two institutions to discuss possible ways of working together to deepen the country’s electoral process.
In attendance was the President of the CBC, Bishop Philip Naameh, and the EC’s two deputy commissioners—Dr Bossman Eric Asare and Mr Samuel Tettey.
EC awareness
At the separate meetings, Mrs Mensa told the two groups that the commission was seeking to partner them and rely on their support ahead of the various upcoming elections.
She said the commission regarded the CBC and the Chief Imam’s outfit as two strong pillars of societal growth for which reason the EC would need their support in its quest to roll out the various electoral reforms.
Bishops
Earlier in his submission, Bishop Naameh said they were willing and prepared to assist the EC in carrying out its electoral mandate.
He stressed the need for the EC to intensify its education on electoral process so that the citizens would understand it and abide by the laws.
Jean Mensa remarks
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, gave an assurance that the commission will not risk the country’s security through decisions it takes on any election.
She explained that the commission was fully aware that one wrong decision from its commissioners or officials could spark tension and throw the country into a state of conflict.
SOURCE: Ghanamatters.com