The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) in collaboration with Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) and United Civil Society Organisations for National Development (UCSOND) with support from the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and Hewlett Foundation through its Local Accountability Network (LANet) in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region has empowered some first- time voters as they await to exercise their franchise in the December 7 elections.
The engagement titled “Activating First-Time Voters for Ghana’s 2024 General Elections” was led by Mr. Daniel Cobbinah, Mr. Simon Ngesah, Madam Gifty Kpoley, Rev. Alex Donkor and Kwame Bujey (Media Personnel), who visited the Aiyinase branch of the Church of Pentecost on Sunday, November 17, 2024, and Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School at Nkroful on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, to undertake voter education for first-time voters and promote messages of peace to uphold electoral integrity.
At the outset of both events, Mr. Cobbinah outlined the purpose of their visit and provided an overview of GACC’s mission. He explained that GACC, GII, and their affiliates are dedicated to combating corruption and bribery while advocating for electoral integrity across the country.
The presence of the LaNet team at the church and the school was meant to emphasize the significance of these values in the context of the upcoming elections, a message being shared nationwide. Mr. Cobbinah expressed gratitude to the authorities and participants for granting them the opportunity to share their message. He sought permission to take photographs and document their visit, and the message conveyed by the LANet to GACC and GII.
Given the limited time, especially at the Church of Pentecost, to initiate the conversation, Mr. Cobbinah posed a question to the audience, asking if anyone had never voted before and would be participating in the election for the first time this year. Some individuals raised their hands in response.
He then asked if anyone had ever witnessed or heard about violence resulting in or loss of life, either in Ghana or globally. One gentleman stood to recount a conflict he witnessed years ago in Elena, a town in Nzemaland, which tragically resulted in fatalities. A woman followed with accounts of unrest in neighboring countries, mentioning Côte D I’voire, Liberia, and Rwanda as examples of the dire consequences of contentious elections.
Mr. Cobbinah noted that the unrest during elections had led to significant suffering in Côte D I’voire, with some people losing their lives, and properties, or even having to be relocated to Ampain and Krisan as refugees in the Nzemaland.
At both events, Mr. Cobbinah managed to educate the first-time voters about electoral integrity. He demonstrated to the audience how to vote correctly to avoid spoiling ballot papers, an issue that sometimes affects even the older generation.
He invited individuals who had never voted to join him at the front as he demonstrated the proper way to vote without invalidating their ballots. Using a model, he illustrated that there would be two ballot papers: one for the presidential candidate and another for the parliamentary candidates. To avoid mentioning any specific party name, he used the model labeled with Party A, Party B, Party C, Party D, and Party E to demonstrate the voting procedure.
He taught them that when voters receive their ballot papers, they should check to see if the ballot bears the stamp of the Electoral Commission, look for the photograph of the candidate they wish to vote for, along with the party’s symbol, name, and the space for thumb printing. When voting, there would be a container of indelible ink at the voting station, voters should press their thumb into the ink adequately and then mark the corresponding space.
To ensure clarity and avoid ballot rejection during the counting process, he advised voters to clean their hands thoroughly with the paper tissue provided at the polling area after thumb printing, to avoid any ink smudges that could prevent their ballots from being rejected. He continued by demonstrating how to properly fold the ballot paper before placing it in the ballot box.
He ended the sessions by expressing his heartfelt appreciation to the participants and the authorities, for welcoming them and for their full participation in the task.
By promoting awareness, understanding, and a spirit of peace, the GACC aims to empower first-time voters to participate.
Source: West End Radio
Story: Kwame Bujey
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