In a discussion regarding the move to allow the media to cover the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings, Professor Ransford Gyampo, a Professor at the University of Ghana shared his perspectives on how this decision could enhance transparency and build trust in Ghana’s Electoral Commission.
He underscored the importance of fostering a more transparent electoral process and the role that media coverage of such meetings could play in achieving this.
Prof. Gyampo began by highlighting the Electoral Commission’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding its independence.
“Over the years, the Electoral Commission has always been so defensive and protective of its independence and so oftentimes, they don’t want anybody to go to them, and to go make certain demands to them.”
Ransford Gyampo Professor , University of Ghana
While this posture is critical for maintaining the autonomy of the Commission, it has, at times, alienated the public and political actors.
According to Prof. Gyampo, this attitude has contributed to a public trust deficit, especially when combined with some unhelpful public commentary from certain officials of the Electoral Commission. He noted; “The public trust deficit has significantly worsened over time.”
He cited a research survey like Afrobarometer, which pointed to declining confidence in the Commission’s ability to manage elections impartially and effectively.
“It is up to the Electoral Commission to resort to interventions that will help it shore up its legitimacy deficit and also deal with its public trust deficit.”
Ransford Gyampo Professor , University of Ghana
Media Coverage as a Step Toward Transparency
The decision to allow media coverage of IPAC meetings, according to Prof. Gyampo, is a step in the right direction.
He praised the Electoral Commission for acceding to the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s call for the media to be allowed into these meetings. He believed this move would improve public understanding and transparency. He noted; “Everybody will know that there isn’t anything untoward happening.”
He stressed the benefits of having the public witness the proceedings firsthand.
By allowing the media to cover these meetings, Prof. Gyampo anticipated that it would eliminate the usual post-meeting contradictions where different political parties present conflicting accounts of what transpired. He reiterated; “After every IPAC meeting, the political parties have different reportage of whatever transpired.”
However, Prof. Gyampo suggested that this issue would be resolved, ensuring that the public has access to a single, objective account of the meeting.
“This time, if we are all watching, we will know what happened, and nobody can come and throw dust into our eyes. If some political parties are being too unreasonable Ghanaians would know, if the electoral Commission is overly also doing things that are not acceptable Ghanaians would know, if politicians are lying Ghanaians would know.”
Ransford Gyampo Professor , University of Ghana
Political Actors and Civility Behind Closed Doors
While the public may perceive interactions between political actors and the Electoral Commission as confrontational, Prof. Gyampo was quick to point out that such confrontations are mostly for public consumption. He reiterated; “Publicly, they are confrontational, but when they meet behind the scenes, they are peaceful.
He drew on his experience in coordinating political dialogue programs.
He believed that, despite the heated public rhetoric, when political parties sit with the Electoral Commission in private, there is often a level of decorum and mutual respect that ensures productive discussions.
Regarding the current tension over the voter register, Prof. Gyampo expressed optimism that the NDC and other parties would articulate their concerns civilly, and he expected the Electoral Commission to respond with the same level of courtesy.
He stressed that the goal should be to resolve the issues that have led to concerns about the integrity of the voter roll.
“At the end of the day, what we are looking for is that there should be resolution of some of the issues that have been raised that has potency to undermine [the role of the EC].”
Ransford Gyampo Professor , University of Ghana
A Historical Trend of Confrontation with the Electoral Commission
Prof. Gyampo pointed out that the confrontational stance of opposition parties toward the Electoral Commission is nothing new. He emphasized; “Every opposition in the history of Ghana has been confrontational in the way they deal with the Electoral Commission.”
He asserted that this is a well-established pattern in Ghanaian politics. He explained that opposition parties often express their dissatisfaction more vocally when they are outside the formal settings of meetings like IPAC. However, inside the meetings, the tone is typically more restrained.
What concerns Prof. Gyampo, though, is the increasing tendency for officials within the Electoral Commission to respond to opposition parties with the same level of aggression.
He expressed disappointment with some recent public statements made by Electoral Commission officials, which he felt were inappropriate. He noted; “I recently heard someone making some very ridiculous comments about the quality of the voter’s role in the 2015 elections.”
Prof. Gyampo recounted, criticizing remarks made about the NDC’s past handling of the voter register.
Prof. Gyampo emphasized that Electoral Commission officials should remain calm and sober in their public dealings, avoiding any behavior that could escalate tensions.
“If all of them were going to be talking like Dr. Bossman Asare, then the Electoral Commission itself would be deprived of its institutional peace.”
Ransford Gyampo Professor , University of Ghana
He stressed that responding to political parties in a confrontational manner would only create more tension and undermine the Commission’s credibility.
Prof. Gyampo urged the Electoral Commission and political parties to focus on resolving issues related to the voter register and refrain from engaging in unnecessary confrontations.
He commended the Commission’s decision to allow media coverage of IPAC meetings, describing it as a positive step toward greater transparency and accountability. He noted; “It’s all to ensure transparency and accountability in election management.”
He expressed hope that this move would help restore public trust in the Electoral Commission. By fostering a more transparent electoral process and encouraging civility in its dealings with political actors, the Electoral Commission can work toward restoring the public’s confidence in its ability to conduct fair and credible elections.
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