ELECTION 2024: MINISTER CALLS FOR COLLABORATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS
The Upper East Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin-Salih has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to work closely with stakeholders in the 2024 general elections to build confidence among electorates.
He appealed to stakeholders, especially political parties to educate their supporters to respect the sovereign will of Ghanaians and not engage in acts that would interfere in the electoral process.
The Minister gave the advice when he joined labour unions in the region to mark this year’s May Day celebration in the Kassena-Nankana West District.
The day was celebrated on the theme: “Election 2024: The role of workers and social partners in securing peaceful elections for national development.”
Dr. Bin-Salih said it was imperative for all stakeholders to work collectively to enhance transparent and accountable governance to promote credible elections in a free, fair and transparent manner.
He urged the media to exhibit professionalism in their reportage, before, during and after the elections.
“The role of the media can be linked to that of a town crier, hence, they don’t have to shout fire! when there is none,” he advised.
The Minister, who is the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), reiterated calls for peace in Bawku, and appealed to residents in the area to keep faith with the government, and support the peace processes for normalcy to be restored in the once vibrant economic hub of the region.
He assured residents that government, through the Ministry of National Security was working to resolve the conflict in Bawku.
Madam Scholastica Tagtir Dery, the Upper East Regional General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said this year’s May Day celebration took place at a time Ghanaian workers and families grappled with high cost of living and inflation of over 25 percent and exchange rate of the Cedis was almost GH¢14.00 to US$1 as compared to about GH¢4.00 in 2016.
She said workers who earned monthly salary of GH¢1000.00 in 2016 took home its equivalent of about US$ 250 but today, GH¢1000.00 was US$71.
The General Secretary, therefore, appealed to the government to address the concerns of Ghanaian workers to improve on their living standards.
