ELECTION 2024 WILL BE TEST OF GHANA’S DEMOCRACY – STEPHEN YAKUBU
The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Stephen Yakubu, says this year’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be a test of Ghana’ s democracy.
He admonished citizens to rise to the occasion and ensure another peaceful election process, before, during and after.
“Let us, therefore, rise up to the occasion as we have often done, to once again make Ghana proud,” Hon Yakubu said in his address at the 67th Independence Day Celebration at the Ramsey Park in Bolgatanga.
He called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to work with political parties, civil society organizations and the electorates to clear any doubts about the electoral process.
The Regional Minister, who is the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), reminded political parties that the sovereign will of the people was greater than their interest.
He said it was imperative for political parties in the 2024 election to collectively support and enhance transparent and accountable governance to promote credible elections, rule of law and strong institutions that would fight corruption and dissipation of public funds.
He further called on media personnel to be responsible and professional in the discharge of their constitutionally mandated role.
He said the peace of the Region was threatened by conflicts, and urged the media not to be used as conduit to disturb the peace in the Region.
“The Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the National Communication Authority, suspended four radio stations in the Bawku Municipality as a measure to ensure peace in that enclave.” he noted.
Hon Yakubu described the role of the media as a town crier and said “One didn’t have to shout fire where there was none. I therefore want to use this opportunity to call for peace in Bawku and other areas.”
The Bolgatanga Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Rex S.A. Asanga, said democracy was the cornerstone of the nation, and the wheel on which the independence struggle began.
He emphasized the need for citizens to cherish and protect Ghana’s democracy at all cost, “It is our responsibility to ensure that our voices are heard, our rights are respected and our freedoms are upheld as contained in the National Anthem,” he added.
The Regional Director of the Ghana Education Service, Mr. Bright A. Lawoe, said education was an indispensable tool for a country’s socio-economic development as advanced countries around the world had proved that fact.
He said Ghana was gradually on its path to achieving that feat if citizens could pride themselves in the current democratic dispensation and commit to uphold, defend and nurture it to higher heights.
