The former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Madam Nana Yaa Jantuah has expressed her candid thoughts on the state of elections in Ghana, particularly addressing the contentious issue of election re-collation and its implications on the country.
Her remarks shed light on her frustration and concern over the unfolding electoral disputes.
Opening her remarks, Nana Yaa Jantuah was unequivocal in her critique of the election re-collation process. She lamented;
“To be very honest, it doesn’t make sense to me. And if these people have been declared winners, why re-collate?”
Nana Yaa Jantuah General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)
This sentiment, she explained, reflected the frustration of many who see the practice as a needless source of political tension.
Highlighting specific cases, the country witnessed in Ablekuma North, Ewura Abena Aubyn, the NDC Parliamentary candidate who has been complaining bitterly about the situation, suggested arm twisting, a scenario such that even when they went to the high court, the court did not even consider what they had brought.
To this effect, Nana Jantuah noted that the judiciary’s decision to dismiss certain cases outright has added to the frustration, leaving affected parties feeling unheard and marginalized.
Nana Jantuah emphasized the emotional and political toll of these disputes. She asserted;
“Nobody wants to be cheated. I beg you. I have been declared a winner. Then the next moment, somebody says it is wrong. So, it is whose fault? If NDC wants to take it to court, I don’t see that they are creating any unnecessary attention.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)
She questioned the processes that allow for re-collation, suggesting that they undermine trust in the electoral system.
If [someone] is declared a winner, the [person] is declared a winner. The law is that, gazette it then go to court.’’
Nana Yaa Jantuah General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)
Turning her attention to Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), Nana Yaa Jantuah criticized the EC for committing unpardonable and repeated blunders, particularly during critical moments of the electoral process.
She cited instances where incomplete data led to questionable declarations.
”I watched TV, and they said that some of the pink sheets were not available. So, they were collating based on 75% of the results and somebody won. Now it has changed.
“When Jean Mensa announced the presidential elections, she said that they are left with I think 9 constituencies also. And that even if you add everything to Dr. Bawumia, he will not win. There was an outstanding but she declared. If these people are saying there are some polling stations that they have not counted, why did they declare if it’s going to have an impact on the final result?”
Nana Yaa Jantuah General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)
Political Tensions and Payback Time
Nana Jantuah also touched on the broader implications of these electoral disputes, including the risk of political vendettas, and the delay in the mini-budget presentation by the finance minister.
She dismissed the notion that the current situation is “payback time” for the ruling party but pointed to underlying issues of mismanagement and lack of foresight as key contributors.
She argued that political leaders must prioritize unity and fairness to avoid creating crises that destabilize the nation.
She criticized past instances of parliamentary disruptions as a result of the delay in the parliamentary mini-budget. She charged;
“This one, I put it on Afenyo-Markin [Majority leader] 100%. At the time, if he had [better] posture, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)
Nana Yaa Jantuah’s remarks reflect a deep concern for the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process and the broader implications of unresolved disputes.
Her candid critique serves as a reminder of the need for transparency, fairness, and unity in addressing the nation’s political challenges.
The call for better governance and accountability resonates strongly, particularly at a time when public trust in electoral institutions is being tested.
READ ALSO; Reading Described as a Gateway To Knowledge
