Ghana’s Parliament to investigate Electoral Commission

Members of Parliament on Friday January 28, 2011,  appointed a twenty member Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the inconsistencies associated with the conduct of the 2010 District Assembly and Unit Committee elections.

The Committee  members include;  Mr Azumah Dominic Azimbe, NDC member for Garu/ Tempane as chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Sumani, NDC member for Tamale North, Mrs Juliana Azumah Mensah, NDC member for Ho East, Mr Haruna Bayirga, NDC member for Sissala West.

The others are; Mr Sampson Ahi, NDC member for Juaboso, Mr Stephen Kunsu, DNC member for Kintampo North, Mr Baffour Fritz Frederic, NDC member for Ablekuma  South, Mr Aquinas Quansah, NDC member for Mfantseman West, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, NDC member for Asawase.

The others rest; Mr Amankwanor Joseph Sam, NPP member for Upper West Akim,  Prof Gyan Baffour George Yaw, NPP member for Wenchi, Mr Joseph Kwaku Nayan, NPP member for Nkwanta North,  Dr Mathew Prempeh Opoku, NPP member for Manhyia, Mr Dominic Nitiwul, NPP member for Bimbilla,  Mr Joe Ghartey, NPP member for Esikadu/Ketan, Mr John Agyabeng, NPP member for Agona East, Mrs Irene Naa Torshie Addo, NPP member for Tema West, Mr Alowe Leo Kabah, NPP member for Chiana/Paga, Mr Amoah Osei Bonsu, NPP member for Aburi Nsawam and  Mr Bayon Godfred Tangu, NPP member for Wa East.

According to the report of the Committee of Selection, the members are to investigate any other matter related to the elections and make recommendations to the house to forestall future recurrences and report to the house within a house.

It said that the composition of the Ad-Hoc Committee reflected the different shades of opinion in Parliament, including the respective strengths of each Caucus, Regional and Gender.

Mr Ambrose Dery, Deputy Minority Leader and NPP Member for Nandom, said Ghana is a beacon of democracy in the sub-region and should therefore improve upon her electoral system which had long been credible until this “unfortunate incidence”.

Mrs Beatrice Bernice Boateng, NPP member for New Juaben South, said the committee should be told when to start and end.

Mr Alfred Agbesi, NDC member for Ashaiman said the committee capability cannot be doubted adding that they would do good work.

Source: GNA