Madam Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) says the commission cannot act independently because donor partners.
According to her, the Commission often depends on donor partners to fund its activities, compromising its independence in the end.
Speaking at the 17th International Electoral Affairs Symposium, Madam Mensa said: "our elections are fast becoming a very expensive venture and we constantly have to rely on development partners to fund this thereby compromising our independence. In 2016 for example, the cost of elections in Ghana was $12.03 per voter, compared to $9.33 per voter in Nigeria (2015) and $5 per voter in Tanzania (2015)".
“Indeed, it is the midwife that births a democracy. It provides legitimacy to our leaders and democratic institutions and therefore needs not only to be maintained but more importantly to be fortified.”
She also added that "it is essential that political parties freely participate in the electoral process and crucial that the right of citizens to express their preference is protected
and guaranteed. We the Electoral Commission of Ghana are committed to these ideals"
Source: Rebecca Addo Tetteh/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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How do donor partners compromise the independence of the Electoral Commission? Is Jean Mensah suggesting the partners determine who wins elections in Ghana? The commission has existed since 1992, how come this had not been the thread for past Electoral commissioners? Jean, please learn to be judicious with statements you make to the public so you don't worsen the already tarnished image of the commission.
Ghana and Africa must fund it's elections fully and in the medium to long term term its budget, to embrace the true total concept of democracy instead of collecting sorpi sorpi from donor partners which can be provided by a Trader at Makola. We must begin to get serious about our democracy and development that puts the people at the center for progress and prosperity.
Does it mean that all your works at IEA were skewed in favour of donor agencies who sponsored them? 3bubor ba