New Voters' Register: Gamey & Co ADR Offers To Resolve EC And NDC Impasse

The Gamey & Co ADR Centre has offered to mediate between the Electoral Commission (EC) and the opposition political parties on the proposed new voters' register which has generated controversy and political tension in Ghana.

The organisation is of the view that if not handled with care and professionalism, the impasse would disturb the peace and security of Ghana.

Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Mr Austin Gamey said, "we offer mediation as our corporate social responsibility to mother Ghana and trust that the Electoral Commission and the concerned parties who are interested in a peaceful electoral process would accept the mediation intervention.”

“As a result of the position taken by the Electoral Commission and the opposing political parties on the proposed new voters' register, controversy and political tension have been generated in the country and if not handled with much care, the impasse has the potential of disturbing, the peace and security of the nation,” he said.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday walked out of a meeting called by the Electoral Commission (EC) for technical persons of the political parties and the Commission in relation to the plan for a new voters' register.

The NDC argued that the letter inviting them to the meeting did not have an agenda, but when they arrived at the meeting Thursday, it was made clear to them that the decision to have a new voters register, had already been made.

In a statement, Gamey & Co ADR Centre said it is proposing February 24, 2020, to hold a pre-mediation meeting with the stakeholders including the Electoral Commission, before holding a plenary session the following day.

It said it has already informed the Electoral Commission about its preparedness to take up the service.

The Centre in a statement has said the matter if not handled with care has the potential of disturbing the peace and security of the nation

Read the full statement below:

As a result of the position taken by the Electoral Commission and the opposing Political Parties on the proposed new voters’ register which has generated controversy and political tension in the country, and which, if not handled with much care, the impasse has the potential of disturbing the peace and security of the nation, it has become necessary for stakeholders to reach an amicable solution.

There is therefore, the need for a professional mediation body to intervene to assist the two sides to resolve the matter.

In this regard, the Gamey & Co ADR Centre has offered to conduct a Facilitated Mediation which would help the Electoral Commission and the political parties concerned to reach an agreement.

Accordingly, the Centre has officially notified the Electoral Commission and the parties concerned of the offer, and the Centre is awaiting their response.

Subject to their approval, the Centre has proposed February 24, 2020 to hold the Pre-Mediation Meeting with the respective stakeholders and the plenary session the following day.

Based on our longstanding experience and expertise, we are convinced that the mediation would enable the two sides to effectively address their interests and concerns for a solution that should be mutually beneficial to them and the entire nation.

We offer the mediation as our corporate social responsibility to mother Ghana, and trust that the Electoral Commission and the concerned parties, who are interested in a peaceful electoral process, would accept the mediation intervention.

We have high confidence in the two sides to make it happen.