The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has inaugurated a new Advisory Board, expanding the membership from 15 to 25.
The inauguration also saw the appointment of two new Co-Chairpersons – Mrs. Elizabeth Joyce Villars and Rev. Fred Deegbe.
The Board has expanded its membership for experience, inclusivity and innovation, and was inaugurated in Accra on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Reading a prepared speech, Rev. Deegbe said the Board was committed to press home certain demands to improve upon Ghana’s electoral process.
According to him, the Board had already tabled before the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana some flaws and gaps in the electoral process that need redress.
These suggestions stem from the CODEO mandate of ensuring transport, free, fair and peaceful elections since the year 2000.
The seven thematic areas that the new Advisory Board was looking forward for redress, includes the establishment of a clear legal/administrative procedures for handling irregularities by polling and collation officers during public elections.
Rev. Deegbe added that the Board expected the EC to provide timely and transparent process for the publication of detailed polling station and collation centres on the Commission’s website ahead of declarations.
Similarly, the Judicial Service should amend the rules of the court to provide a shorter timeline for adjudicating parliamentary election petitions, and Parliament should also pass the Affirmative Action Bill.
He called on the Ghana Police Service to enforce the law on vigilantism, as well as a regular updates on election related violence, particularly the alleged killing of eight people during the 2020 Elections.
Furthermore, the co-chair pressed home the demand for the menace of vote buying and abuse of incumbency to be nip in the bud.
Rev Deegbe stated that while the board hope the above mentioned gaps are filed, it is also kin to ensuring stakeholder engagement and strong advocacy.
“For the incoming board, we have our work cut out for us in the next couple of years. Now more than ever, our work is essential in contributing to ensure a free, fair and peaceful outcome. First is this year’s District Level Elections (DLA). Even more crucial is Ghana’s ninth consecutive election in the fourth republic: the December 7, 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections,” he said.
Other members on the Board, Prof. Emmanuel Gyimah-Boadi, Mr. Eric Angel Agbe-Carbonu, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, Ms. Daphne Lariba Nabila, Mr. Frank Beecham, Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayorsey, Ms. Joyce Nyame, Alhaj Ahmad Suleman Anderson, Mr. Albert Dwumfuor, Ms. Philippa Larsen, and Mr. Kofi Bentum Quantson.
The rest are Dr. Marzuq Abubakar Azindo , Professor Takyiwaa Manuh, Nana Asantewaa Afadzinu, Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, Ambassador Francis A. Tsegah, Mrs. Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, Ms. Gifty Florence Anin-Botwe, Apostle Immanuel Tettey, Mr. Edmund Acquaye, Mrs. Hamida Harrison and Mr. Alexander Bankole Williams.
