Ghanaians must rise against EC's dishonesty - Ocquaye Jnr

Private legal practitioner and deputy communications director of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Mike Ocquaye Jnr. has urged Ghanaians to rise against what he describes as efforts by the Electoral Commission (EC) to deny Ghanaians a transparent, fair and an accountable service.

The lawyer said he finds it difficult to understand why the EC is operating without a public relations officer to engage its stakeholders, especially the media, on its operations.

The position for Director of Public Relations and Communications at the Electoral Commission has been declared vacant after a staff reshuffle some few weeks ago.

The shake-up at the EC saw Christian Owusu Parry, former Acting Director of the Public Affairs Department moved to administration while Sylvia Annor, who held the position as the Principal PRO, was also moved to handle protocol at the Commission.

Currently, the EC does not have a designated official communicating to the media on its operations.

He said by law, the EC is mandated to speak to the media and therefore he sees no reason why the gap and refusal by the EC to engage the media.

Mike Ocquaye Jnr. says the current situation is unacceptable, hence the need for Ghanaians to rise and demand EC appoints an acting communications person to man their public affairs department.

He debunked suggestions by the host that his call was meant to incite Ghanaians against the EC, saying the EC is Ghanaians against itself.

The outspoken member of the elephant family descended heavily on the Commissioner, Madam Charlotte Osei and her Commissioners for putting fear in Ghanaians and abusing their powers as an independent institution.

"Who [Commissioners] do they think they are? They are nothing but human beings like any Ghanaian. We are not afraid of Charlotte Osei. She is a lawyer just like me. She is just four years older than me. We know them all very well. They cannot put fear in us because they are Commissioners. Ghanaians must rise and stop the EC from their muddle and dishonesty. You [Commissioners] receive your monthly salary yet you have decided not to speak with the media because you have sacked your PRO. This is unacceptable."

Lawyer Mike Ocquaye Jr. said Madam Charlotte Osei should be held accountable for happenings at the EC.

Ghana's democratic rule he noted was not attained on a silver platter, as our forefathers had to sacrifice their lives for us to enjoy the freedom today; therefore, Madam Charlotte Osei and her Commissioners cannot let it go waste.