Ghana’s National Peace Council (NPC) has come under severe criticism from prominent members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with calls for its abolition and harsh denouncements of its effectiveness.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the NDC’s Director of IT and Elections, and Honourable Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, have voiced strong objections against the council, questioning its role and utility in the country’s democratic and governance practice.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, a leading member of the opposition party and former Minister of Communications under the erstwhile Mahama’s administration in a scathing critique chastised the National Peace Council, accusing it of negligence and ineffectiveness.
His criticism centred on the National Peace Council’s dead silence on the recent incidents involving the Electoral Commission’s voter registration kits and Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).
Dr Omane Boamah, reacting to the National Peace Council’s recent call for political parties to build trust in the Electoral of Ghana, vehemently criticized the failure of the Council to speak on the stolen components of voter registration kits from the headquarters of the Electoral Commission under CCTV surveillance in addition to the missing of Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).
He expressed disappointment and frustration over what he describes as the Council’s apparent lack of response to such significant issues, which he believes undermines the integrity of the country’s electoral process.
“Another reason Ghanaians must abolish the Peace Council! As for the Council of State, it outlived its usefulness long ago”.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the NDC’s Director of IT and Elections
Dr Boamah concluded his remarks by stating emphatically that the National Peace Council has failed in its duty to ensure electoral transparency and security, raising serious concerns about its relevance and efficacy.
Samuel Nartey George’s Criticism
Echoing Dr. Boamah’s sentiments, Honourable Samuel Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Constituency in the Greater Accra Region delivered an even more scathing critique of the National Peace Council.
The opposition National Democratic Congress lawmaker, widely known for his outspoken views, did not mince words in his condemnation of the National Peace Council.
He accused the National Peace Council members of being “sycophantic” and compromising their integrity for personal gain.
Honourable Sam George expressed severe condemnation against the National Peace Council, stating that the Council has failed to deliver on its mandate of demanding accountability and transparency among key state institutions including the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
“I have always maintained and repeated that the Peace Council is the most useless institution in Ghana today. Even more useless than the Presidency. A bunch of sycophants who have sold their conscience for cheap broth. Such a waste of our time”.
Honourable Samuel Nartey George
The statements from the two leading members of the opposition National Democratic Congress underscore the growing call within the party for the abolition of the National Peace Council.
Some other leading members of the party have equally chastised the National Peace Council, arguing that the council has not lived up to its mandate of promoting peace and ensuring fair electoral processes.
Instead, they claimed, it has become a burden on taxpayers and an “obstacle” to the country’s democratic progress.
In an earlier statement, the National Peace Council (NPC) called on political parties and other stakeholders in Ghana’s democratic process to place confidence and trust in the Electoral Commission of Ghana to address challenges associated with the country’s electoral process.
The Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, George Amoh in the statement emphasised the necessity of collaboration and adherence to established procedures to ensure the smooth conduct of elections.
