You are here: HomeOpinionsArticles2012 09 08Article 249864

Opinions of Saturday, 8 September 2012

Columnist: Adofo, Rockson

The Electoral Commissioner is Haunted by his own Stupidity and Obstinacy

The Electoral Commissioner (Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan) is Haunted by his own Stupidity and Obstinacy

Dr. Afari Gyan bemoans and feels nauseated at the spread, or the accusatory-ramification of his name, throughout Ghana. He says everywhere he rears his ugly face, people peep at him eerily saying, "Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Kwadwo Afari-Gyan". He feels very uncomfortable with the situation, which he thinks is blighting his glory. He goes on to question, "Why is it that my name is the only one on the lips of Ghanaians?" We are seven people on the Commission but I am the only one people are mentioning".

Would my readers please permit if I answer this twerp in a manner befitting his status as someone with a midget mindset? Let me address him directly, Kwadwo Afari Gyan, you are the only person sensible Ghanaians are accusing because you are the Head of the Electoral Commission. Are you not the one who has come out boldly, insisting that you will create the additional forty-five constituencies regardless? Are you not the face of the Electoral Commission whose decision is final? Are you now trying to shift the blame to your subordinates?

The manner in which he has been conducting himself concerning the creation of the new constituencies is very dubious and appalling. Firstly, he gave the NDC heads-up. This was long before the rumours about the creation of the constituencies became public knowledge. Secondly, he did not strictly adhere to the Constitutional logics bestowed on him for the creation of additional constituencies. He had not disclosed the results of the 2010 population census, the prelude to initiating any act of creating new constituencies. Thirdly, he had authorised and supervised the NDC to organise their party primaries well in advance pending the endorsement of the Constitutional Instrument for the creation of the new constituencies. What can be more dubious and criminal than this? This action coupled with his insistence to create the new constituencies in utter disregard for the wishes of the majority of Ghanaians raises eyebrow. This is why many are those saying he is in bed with the NDC to rig the upcoming elections for the incumbent NDC party.

The timing of the creation of the new constituencies raises more questions than answers. To any reasonable person, two to three months is not enough to allow all basic preparations to be met by all parties before going to elections on December 7, 2012. Going back, he did not base his stubborn intention to create the constituencies on the cardinal pivot (population density) on which the cogency of his argument could revolve. He used landmass in some circumstances where it pleased his inner devious aspirations of fellowshipping with the NDC. He divided some NDC strongholds into two constituencies to give them two winning parliamentary seats instead of one. What a clever way to assisting the lawless NDC party enhance their electoral fortunes in the upcoming elections?

He had not submitted the Constitutional Instrument allowing for the creation of new constituencies to parliament (the Legislature) for approval yet; Kwadwo Afari-Gyan had gone ahead to elect NDC parliamentary candidates for the new constituencies. How do you find this old man whose grey hair is not a repository of wisdom but seeming stupidity?

Obstinacy and stupidity are the two things killing Kwadwo Afari-Gyan. He must bear in mind that "obstinacy is the cause of the horns of the Hornbill". Now, he is turning his fellow Brong tribesmen against him. I never knew the name Gyan comes principally from Brong. Now it appears all the somehow disgraced Gyans (Kwadwo Afari Gyan, Boakye Gyan, and Yaw Boateng Gyan etc) are Akans from Brong. Why should they allow others to use them for stupid reasons? I do not expect this from a fellow Akan.

Rockson Adofo