'We're unfazed by political colourisation'

A member of the committee set up by the Electoral Commission to hear arguments on proposals for a new national voters’ register says the five member committee is unfazed by some comments suggesting the committee is linked to one political party.

According to Prof. Emmanuel Kwaku Asante, such pronouncement does not augur well for the country's democratic process, noting members of the committee will remain focused on the issues at hand although very challenging.

Speaking to TV3's William Evans-Nkum in Kumasi on Sunday, Prof. Asante said there were commentary on radio to the effect that "the whole panel is a bogus panel and they have already pigeonholed us, put us in a box that they [committee members] are all NDC"

This was after a ceremony by the Methodist Church of Ghana to induct Rt. Rev Christopher Nyarko Andam as the new Bishop of the Kumasi Diocese.

Prof Asante added: "Once people begin this way, you can be sure that it is a very challenging thing but for me, I will remain undaunted and I'm sure that the people on the panel are not going to be disturbed by these things.

He expressed disgust about the fact that almost everything in the country is politicized, saying "we tend to put people into political corners. I think as a nation we should mature in our democracy. We should learn to agree and to disagree on issues. We are not there for any political party"

Prof Asante who is the chairman of the National Peace Council said the Committee will do its work in a fair and objective manner. He said: "We are serving our nation, we love our nation, we'll try to do the job with all the objectivity that it demands without taking any sides".

Following calls and demand for a new voters' register, the EC on Friday announced a constitution of a five-member committee to hold a two-day public hearing on the need for a new register.

The EC explained that it took such a decision due to “petitions and calls it had received from some political parties, civil society groups and a number of Ghanaians for a new voters’ register.”

Members of the Committee are former Electoral Commissioner and Supreme Court judge VCRAC Crabbe, Prof Asante, former Government Statistician, Dr Grace Bediako, President of the Internet Society of Ghana, Dr Nii Narku Quaynor and Ameer of the Ahmadiyya Mission in Ghana, Maulvi Bin Salih.