<<Print>>

Introduction

Critical, on-site observations undertaken by Patriotic Intellectuals, a professional and voluntary group within the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has revealed that the ongoing voters’ registration exercise being undertaken by the Electoral Commission (EC), the statutory body mandated by the 1992 constitution to carry out such an exercise, is going on smoothly and progressing steadily.

The EC’s decision, backed by the Supreme Court ruling, to conduct the registration exercise in spite of the soaring numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country is principally to compile and have a clean and credible register for the 2020 elections, and Ghanaians are registering in their numbers.

This assertion is backed by the national summary of the new voters’ registration statistics, which started on June 30 (and scheduled to end on August 6, 2020), by EC shows clearly that for the first nine (9) days of the ongoing exercise a total number of prospective applicants who have been registered stands at 3, 442, 954, as at Saturday, July 11, 2020. And, the other useful information gathered out of the total potential voters registered, 66.3% registered with Ghana Card, 1.5% registered with Passport and 32.2% used the Guarantors option available to them.

This exercise came on against the backdrop of visible opposition by National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as other like-minded groups kicking against the new voters’ registration and in spite of NDC’s Mr. Ofosu Ampofo’s of statement that “Don’t participate in EC’s new registration exercise” and the tantrums of Mr. Bernard Mornah of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) alongside demonstrations and the statement that the new voters registration is “a recipe for chaos,” the EC is doing a yeoman’s job.

Matters Arising

This is not to say that there were no breaches relative to COVID-19 protocols by officials and prospective applicants.
 
The Role of Patriotic Intellectuals

In consonant with the ideals and principles of the NPP, PI is pursuing the following:

1.     Mobilising grassroots’  support for the NPP

2.     Visiting some selected registration centres and communities/district and distributing face masks and hand sanitizers to applicants who come to register without face masks and hand sanitizers.

3.     A critical observation of the current statistics of COVID-19 updates by the Ghana Health Service indicates that: 24, 248 Confirmed Cases; 19, 831 Recoveries/Discharge; 135 Death and 4, 282 Active Cases. Owing to this, PI is using its coordinated interaction and educational outreach programmes to offer the following practical safety COVID-19 protocols advice based on data and science, as well as WHO recommendations. We must:

i. Ensure adequate and frequent handwashing with soap under running water after touching objects or surfaces

ii.Use the approved alcohol-based sanitizer with 70% alcohol strength to rub or sanitize your hands frequently

iii. Avoid physical contact, including handshake and other forms of usual contact at the registration centers, social gathering, funerals, family gathering, etc.

iv. Practice social distancing in all public places including market, places of worship and transport terminals

v. Cough or sneeze into bent elbows or tissue and dispose it immediately into a well-covered bin

vi. Wear face mask when leaving home or in a public space. If face shield is to be worn, do it in addition to
the face mask as the virus that cause COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or exhales, so it is important to wear both the face mask and face shield in order to protect one from contracting the Corona virus.

vii. Boost immune system by taking in such supplements like Vitamin C and E, eat egg meals, make sure all meals are warm (not cold) before we eat them, drink at least 1.5 litres of water daily, enjoy sunshine and take a rest or sleep for a minimum of 7 – 8 hours.

In conclusion, PI joins the world to congratulate His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, on his sterling display of extraordinary leadership in these perilous times. The good people of Ghana will definitely reward you with a resounding victory on December 7, 2020.

Finally, members of PI are pleading with the good people of Ghana not to toy with the COVID-19 pandemic because it is real, hence we all need to do the needful, follow the safety protocols, take our health seriously and do everything in our power not to contract the virus because Ghana needs all of us alive.
 
PATRIOTIC INTELLECTUALS (PI)
WESTERN REGION       
 
Michael Asare Appiah (Sasa)
(Chairman)
024 639 3602
 
Eric Bruce-Amartey Jnr.
(Vice Chairman)
026 426 8648)