National Commission for Civic Educationnccegh.org/site/media/annualreport/pdf/Fifteenth Annual Report.pdf · The NCCE is conscious that it has a role ... intensified programmes on

National Commission

for Civic Education

Fifteenth Annual Report

2008

NCCE Fifteenth Annual Report ’08

1

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Vision of the NCCE

An effective independent Commission

in the delivery of quality civic education for democracy.

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Mission Statement of the NCCE

A constitutional body mandated to create, sustain and increase

awareness of constitutional democracy among Ghanaians for the achievement of political and social stability for an equitable economic

growth and integrated development through civic education, by observing the principles of impartiality and non-partisanship using a

well-trained and motivated workforce.

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Mandate of the NCCE

The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana

(Articles 231-239) and the National Commission for Civic

Education Act, 1993, Act 452.

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From the Chairman Elections are a central institution of democratic representative governments. In

a democracy, the authority of the government is derived solely from the consent

of the governed. The principal mechanism for translating that consent into

governmental authority is the holding of free and fair elections. Ghana’s Fourth

Republic, the longest so far in its democratic governance history, has witnessed

five successful consecutive presidential and parliamentary elections. The third

and fifth elections saw a peaceful change of government from a party in power to

one in opposition, something very rare on the African continent. The successful

conduct of these elections has given credence to Ghana’s democracy, leading to a

very high rating in Africa.

The year 2008 would however go down in history as one in which Ghana’s

Democratic credentials were severely tested. We thank God Almighty, the

leadership of all political parties, the clergy of all faiths, chiefs, organized labour,

farmers and fishermen and civil society organizations for keeping Ghana

peaceful and stable. All efforts must be made to ensure the sustainability of

Ghana’s democracy.

The starting point is the resourcing of the NCCE to intensify education on the

Constitution, especially on the Sovereign Will of the People. In the December 7,

2008 election, 2.4 per cent of the total votes cast were declared rejected or invalid.

This means the vote of that many people who embraced all the odds to queue

and vote were not counted. Giving the fact that such votes could have made a

difference in the outcome of the election, every effort must be made to drastically

reduce rejected ballots in future elections. The massive education undertaken by

the NCCE with active support of the Electoral Commission, alongside other factors

in the preceding period to the run-off on December 28, 2009 led to a reduction in

rejected ballots.

Reports from Election Observation teams point to various unorthodox electoral

practices pursued by individuals and parties to win political advantage. The

electorate must be insulated through intensive education to insist that all players

comply with the set rules and regulations. Electoral fraud, especially in strongholds

of political parties, undermines our democracy, and all efforts must be marshalled

to curb that.

Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution stipulates that “Every citizen of Ghana of

eighteen years and above, and of sound mind has the right to vote and is entitled

to be registered as a voter for the purposes of public elections and referenda”.

In voting at an election, an individual exercises the political power which the 1992

Constitution gives every eligible Ghanaian. With the political power the individual

uses to choose political representatives, and impliedly the government of the day.

NCCE Fifteenth Annual Report ’08 3

The government of the day determines and influences the level of development in

the country. It is therefore important that every eligible voter votes to decide how

the social, economic and political affairs of the country are managed.

Undermining the electoral process through fraud is a subversion of the Sovereign

Will of the People.

The NCCE is clothed with power in Article 233 of the Constitution to educate and

encourage the public to defend this Constitution at all times, against all forms of

abuse and violation and to formulate for the consideration of Government, from

time to time, programmes at the national, regional and district levels aimed at

realising the objectives of this Constitution.

The Commission is conscious of the fact that disagreements about election results

pose a serious challenge to political stability and constitutional development

on the African continent. Such socio-political instability in some instances has

led to armed confrontation between various political groups, and occasionally

degenerated into protracted tribal conflicts.

The NCCE is conscious that it has a role to play in ensuring that the 1992

Constitution survives. In line with this mandate the Commission urges all the key

players to perform their respective roles efficiently while at the same time ensuring

that the Sovereign Will of the people is respected. Though appreciative of the

support from the Government of Ghana and other donors for budgetary support

and other financial support, more can be done to meet the financial needs of the

Commission.

The Commission wishes to reiterate a point made in a press statement of December

30, 2008, that: “Ghana has come a long way since 1992. We have developed our

nascent democracy to a stage where we cannot, and should not, allow it to slip

back to confirm the belief that Africans cannot be democratic. Above all, we must

not shed a drop of blood for personal aggrandizement of temporary and ephemeral

political power”.

Farhan Laary Bimi

(Chairman of NCCE)

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Executive Summary The year 2008 would certainly go into the annals of Ghana’s history and that of

the NCCE as a year which was full of activities /events and also presented a lot of challenges in the history of Ghanaian politics, a situation which engendered intensive civic education activities.

Mindful of the year 2008 being an election year, civic education work at regional/

districts offices sought to prepare the minds of the electorate towards the December 2008 elections. As the months and days to the Election Day drew near, offices intensified programmes on peace as a prerequisite for nation building, where participants were educated to abide by all the electoral laws and processes, and to tolerate each other’s view.

Topics treated to facilitate the election process and maintenance of peace after the

election included effective participation and peaceful election, ensuring peaceful election, the need for credible and election free violence, effective participation and non violent election 2008, the right to vote, and promoting political tolerance and peaceful co-existence among political parties.

Methods used for the dissemination of information were whistle-stop broadcasts,

talks, seminars, discussions, conferences, community drama and theatre, fora, durbars etc. The groups targeted for programmes were traditional authorities, community leaders, students, activists of political parties, youth groups, political party leaders, church, and mosque leaders, teachers, women groups, aspiring candidates, the media, civil society organizations, etc.

The Commission also issued three press statements in connection with the

2008 Elections. The first, on January 18, 2008 called on all key stakeholders to play their roles effectively to ensure peaceful election in December 2008. The second, in September 2008, called for peace and tolerance among political leaders in ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election in December 2008. The third, on December 30, 2008, when the country was awaiting the results of the run-off, urged the Electoral Commission to be fearless and declare the results of the run- off of the Presidential elections of December 28, 2008. It appealed to the elders of the nation, the clergy of all faiths, the chiefs, organized labour, farmers and fishermen, women’s groups, etc, to rise up to stem the evil wind that was blowing inexorably towards Ghana.

The activities conducted by the NCCE through the length and breadth of the

country helped in reducing political tension and ensured the country was not engulfed in political violence and came out of the December 2008 elections stronger as a democratic nation.

Though electoral activities were the principal focus of the NCCE in 2008, the

Commission nevertheless carried out several other activities. Twenty District offices


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with the support of IPEC/ILO organised variety of activities to create awareness

on the practice of Worst Forms of child labour in the communities. The Annual National Constitution Week entered its eighth year of celebration

in 2008. The Commission chose as its theme for the week-long celebration, The

Sovereign Will of the People and Elections 2008 to highlight the importance of

the franchise. Due to financial constraints only some districts were selected to

organize the activities to commemorate the week.

The fifth Annual National Championship of the Ghana Constitution Game

Competition which brought together schools that emerged as regional champions

in the October-November of the previous year was held at the Ghana Girls Guide

Association Centre, Achimota-Accra on Sunday, April 27, 2008.

In the area of Civic Education Clubs several activities were organized by Clubs at

the national, regional and district levels.

In the area of research, following the trail of the 2004 Poll, the Commission in

April 2008 undertook another poll on Issues of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter.

The overall objective of this survey was to collate information on issues of concern

to Ghanaian Voters. The research department also undertook an Assessment of

Election 2008 Community Drama Programme of the NCCE towards Election 2008.

This was to assess the effectiveness of the novel educational strategy of community

drama in conveying voter educational messages.

The Commission also continued a number of collaborative works with some

organisations, conscious of the fact that civic education is a shared responsibility.

Among the collaborative bodies were Africa Peer Review Mechanism-Governing

Council, Ghana Integrity Initiative, World Vision International and IPEC-ILO.

The Commission continues to reel under budgetary constraints. Its headquarters

building remains a plan on paper, whilst regional and district offices continue to

cry for rehabilitation. Funding for service activities continues to be low and late

in coming. The effort of the Commission in the 2008 elections makes the point

that with adequate funding the NCCE can contribute enormously to enhancing

democracy in the country.

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SECTION A

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Programmes The report as presented is in line with the operations of the Commission. The

activities of the Commission come under two divisions, namely Programmes and

Finance and Administration. Accountable to the Deputy Chairman (Programmes)

are the heads of the departments of Public Education, Research, Literature and

Materials Development and Public Affairs. The Deputy Chairman (Finance and

Administration) is responsibile for the Finance and Administration departments.

The Programmes Report as presented covers activities of the Public Education,

Research, and Literature and Materials Development undertaken with the support

of the Public Affairs Department and under the guidance of the Commission.


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A1 Public Education

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is one of the four democratic

institutions created by the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, and

established by an Act of parliament (Act 452) in 1993.

The functions of the NCCE which are spelt out in Article 233 of the Constitution and

elaborated in Section 2 of Act 452, among others, is to create and sustain within

the society the awareness of the principles and objectives of this Constitution as

the fundamental law of the people of Ghana and educate and encourage the public

to defend this Constitution at all times against all forms of abuse and violation.

The functions of the NCCE as stipulated makes civic education the central work

of the NCCE.

The Public Education Department has the responsibility of drawing up programmes

towards the realisation of the functions as spelt out in Act 452. The department

also has the task of mapping out programmes germane to civic education and

which has relevance and meaning to the daily lives of the people.

The recognition that the objective of civic education cannot be achieved at one

stroke and by one institution makes civic education a shared responsibility. Key

among the institutions that the NCCE collaborates with are the UNDP, APRM-GC,

GII, WVI and UNICEF.

The department also continues to lead the Commission to hold aloft its flagship

programmes in pursuit of reaching the people with the requisite knowledge.

Among these are:

· Annual National Constitution Week Celebrations.

· Ghana Constitution Game Competition.

· Organisation and Establishment of Civic Education Clubs,

· Social Auditing Project.

The segment under public education documents some of the important activities

undertaken by the headquarters as well as regional and district offices under the

direction of the Public Education Department.

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A1.1 Voter Education on 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary

Elections

A1.1.1 Introduction

Ghana in the last decade and half has seen four successful elections, one resulting

in the peaceful transfer of power from a ruling party to the opposition. In December

2008, Ghana held its fifth general election under the Fourth Republic.

The NCCE, conscious of the fact that the elections had its challenges, embraced the

opportunity to foster electoral integrity and deepen Ghana’s democratic process,

and moved into action to work towards a successful election from the very first

day of 2008.

The objectives of the educational campaign were four-fold: (i) To sensitize the

citizenry to the importance of the franchise and the Sovereign Will of the People

(ii) For the citizenry to have knowledge of the electoral process and the need for

massive voter turnout on voting day (iii) To get all Ghanaians to appreciate the

need to work towards free, fair and non violent elections (iv) To get more women to

participate in the electoral process and governance in general.

Activities undertaken by the NCCE centred on:

· Public Education on the Voter Registration and the Electoral Process.

· Production and Distribution of Educational Materials.

· Durbar of Chiefs and Community Drama on Political Tolerance.

· Fora for Political Party Leaders.

· Fora for Youth Activists of Political Parties.

· Fora for Various Stakeholders-Media and Women.

· Platform for Aspiring Parliamentary Candidates.

· Establishment of Inter Party Dialogue Committees/Enforcement Body.

· Organisation of Peace Marches.

· Election Observation.

· Issuing Press Statements on the 2008 Elections.

The educational work of the NCCE was however largely influenced by the electoral

time table of the Electoral Commission which was as follows:

· Limited Voter Registration Exercise (July 31-August 14, 2008).

· Exhibition of the Voters Register (October 5-11, 2008).

· The Transfer of Votes (November 2008).

· Voting Date (December 7, 2008).

· Presidential Election Re-Run (December 28, 2008).

A1.1.2 Public Education on the Voter Registration and the Electoral Processes

The Voters Register used for the 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary elections

was compiled ahead of the 2004 General Election and updated in 2006 for the

2006 District Assembly/Unit Committee Elections.

Following numerous allegations of a bloated register the Electoral Commission

instituted a committee to investigate the issue. It was noticed that the incidence of


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multiple registration was occasioned by the fact that the ID card was also recognised

for identification in banks and other places. Persons who had misplaced or lost

their cards went for registration whenever the register was re-opened so as to have

the Voters ID cards. The Electoral Commission later undertook a limited cleaning

of the register.

From July 31 to August 14, 2007 the Electoral Commission undertook a limited

voters registration to allow all persons who did not have their names on the register

in the previous registration exercise to do so.

The register was exhibited from October 5 to 11, 2008 for registered voters to

verify the inclusion and correctness of their names and accompanying data so as

to rectify errors that may be contained in the register.

Various district offices of the NCCE keenly followed the electoral calendar of the

Electoral Commission. At the start of the limited registration they embarked on

a campaign that urged the citizenry, especially the youth, who had attained the

age of 18 years and those who for one reason or the other could not register in

the last elections to do so since every eligible voter has the constitutional right to

partake in the governance of the country. The registered voters were entreated to

fully get involved in the electioneering process so that the person of their choice

could be elected. The sensitization and awareness creation took the form of street

announcements, civic messages in churches and radio talk shows.

Observation made by NCCE district offices revealed that the general public were

worried about the pace at which the EC carried out the limited registration. For

instance the combination of two centres (two Electoral Areas) to one registration

officer and the general shortage of electoral materials such as registration forms at

the centres excluded many eligible voters during the limited registration exercise.

A1.1.3 Production and Distribution of Educational Materials

The NCCE and Electoral Commission with financial support from the United Nations

Development Programme (UNDP) produced a pamphlet “Election 2008-Your Right

to Vote” which stressed the need to maintain the peace before, during and after the

elections and the importance of all in the 2008 Elections. The pamphlet also dealt

with issues such as: Why You Should Vote, Who Can/Should Vote, the Dos and

Donts of the Election, Peace and Security for Sustainable National Development

and What does it mean to be tolerant?

A total of 1,000,000 of these pamphlets were distributed nationwide through the

offices of the NCCE and the Electoral Commission. Aside of this pamphlet the

Commission produced a number of posters and handbills. These are captured in

the Literature and Materials Development section of this report.

To support the NCCE in its educational efforts towards a peaceful 2008 General

Elections, the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) presented

some posters emphasising the importance of peace for development. “We Need

Peace to Develop the Use of Small Arms and Light Weapons” was the message

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on the poster. A total of 100,000 of the posters were presented to the NCCE

by the Chairman of WAANSA on July 17, 2008. The posters were subsequently

distributed through the district offices of the NCCE.

A1.1.4 Durbar of Chiefs and Community Drama on Political Tolerance

The various regional and district offices of the Commission organised fora in

their jurisdiction to sensitise the populace to the essence of political tolerance in

ensuring a free, fair and peaceful campaign towards the 2008 Presidential and

Parliamentary polls. The community drama format was adopted as the method for

the dissemination of messages on political tolerance. Actors were recruited from

the local community and the predominant local language was used in the drama

presentation.

A total of 60 communities in all the ten regions of Ghana were visited with the

drama sketch dubbed “Ghana Must Win Election 2008” which turned to be the

most attractive component of the programme. The drama starts off with three

parties campaigning for power. A selfish individual capitalised on the situation to

make money out of the candidates and create confusion and anarchy. A timely

intervention by security agents brought law and order to bear on the situation.

The parties were subsequently summoned before the chief in his palace where he

underscored the need for political tolerance and the fact that peace was imperative

for development. Many who saw the drama requested that it should be developed

into a film to be shown by cinema vans, in order for the message to reach the

larger population, who were absent at the gathering.

Persons who addressed the fora included the District Chief Executive, Presiding

Member, the District Commander of Police and the aspiring Parliamentary

candidates of political parties.

The messages highlighted by the speakers during the session were:

i) That Article 35 (1) of the 1992 Constitution stipulates that Ghana is a

multi-party democratic State; hence Ghanaians could belong to different

political parties of their choice without any hindrance.

ii) That both intra-party and inter-party intolerance lead to chaos and civil

strife which bring untold hardship on citizens and reverses the pace of

development;

iii) That political parties should avoid the use of insults and foul language

during electioneering and concentrate on issues of concern to the electorate.

iv) That party supporters should refrain from the habit of removing and defacing

posters, emblems and sign posts of other political parties, among others.

v) That the political parties must adhere to their own Code of Conduct for

Political Parties as well as the rules and regulations governing elections.

A1.1.5 Fora for Political Party Leaders

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in collaboration with the

IEA, organised a workshop for representatives of registered political parties in

Ghana, the Electoral Commission, the National Peace Council and other key

stakeholders on the theme: “Ensuring a Peaceful and Violence Free Elections in


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2008” at the Elmina Beach Resort, Elmina, in the Central Region from Friday,

May 30 to Sunday, June 1, 2008.

Speakers at the workshop included: Mr. Kwamena Ahwoi, a senior lecturer at

GIMPA, who spoke on “The Challenges and Prospects for Election 2008”, Dr. Nii

Moi Thompson, an economist who spoke on “Strategies for Ensuring Violent-Free

ElectionsRole of Political Parties” and Mr. Laary Bimi, Chairman of the NCCE

who spoke on “Strategies for Ensuring Violent-Free ElectionsRole of Electoral

Commission and NCCE”.

A 10-point communiqué issued at the end of the workshop urged the Electoral

Commission to make all efforts to resolve the problems that have delayed the

registration of qualified but unregistered voters in order to ensure that the time

table for the December 2008 elections was not adversely affected. The communiqués

urged the NCCE to collaborate with the IEA and other civil society organisations to

organise special separate engagements sessions with the National House of Chiefs

and the Association of Private Broadcasters, in particular, managers of the local

language FM Stations, to make them appreciate their critical roles in ensuring a

peaceful and violent-free elections. The communiqué also asked government to

adequately resource the NCCE for it to intensify civic education on tolerance and

peace before, during and after the December 2008 election.

A1.1.6 Fora for Youth Activists of Political Parties

A group specially targeted for education was youth activists of political parties.

In the light of the fact that the problems of violation of human rights, deprivation

of freedoms and privileges and the threat to peace and stability are occasioned

by this group a series of fora were held with the political parties’ youth activists

across the regions/ districts. The common issues that run across the fora with the

political party youth activists were (i) causes of political intolerance (ii) effects of

political intolerance, (iii) how to cultivate the culture of peace and sustain it.

In the Brong Ahafo Region twenty-two (22) of such fora were organised across the

region. In the Upper West Region forty-one were organized.

The Commission also had support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) to run

the Political Party Tertiary Institutions Project under which a series of workshops

were organised on the theme “Election 2008 and the Tertiary Student” on the

campuses of four public universities. That of the University of Ghana, Legon, took

place on October 28, 2008, the University of Cape Coast on October 30, 2008,

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, on November 10,

2008 and the University of Development Studies, Nyankpala (November 12, 2008).

The student leaders and leaders of the youth wing of political parties resolved at

the workshops to contribute their quota towards a free, fair and peaceful December

7, 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

A1.1.7 Fora for Media Practitioners, Women and Other Stakeholders

The Media: As part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with the media, the

Commission met members of the media to urge them to play their roles so as to

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ensure peaceful elections. The fora were also to solicit the support of the media

towards election 2008 campaigns. At the various fora, the point was made that an

irresponsible media can easily abandon its duty of defending the citizens against

the power block and rather be used to manipulate and misinform the public.

Among the fora held with media practitioners were those at the Conference Hall

of the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council on August 12, 2008, SSNIT

Conference Hall at Bolgatanga on August 12, 2008 and the VAG Hall, Sunyani on

August 29, 2008 where over 100 media practitioners from both the print and the

electronic media; including Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, The Statesman, The

Chronicle, Daily Guide, The Enquirer, GNA, Information Services Department, Rock

FM, Style FM, URA-Radio, GTV and Metro TV were in attendance.

Women: To increase women’s participation in the governance process, women’s

groups were specifically targeted for education. Some of the women’s groups

that benefitted from the programme were queenmothers, religious groups, market

women, political activists, etc. The objectives of the fora were: (i) To assess the

challenges facing women in their efforts at participating in decision-making at all

levels, (ii) To encourage women to acquaint themselves with a knowledge of the

electoral process so as to contribute effectively towards free, fair and transparent

elections in December, 2008, and (iii) inculcate values of tolerance and co-operation

in the women to help in making the elections peaceful. In the Ashanti Region 30

of such fora were organised, and 44 in the Brong Ahafo Region. In the Northern

Region, the NCCE collaborated with Northern Network for Development, an NGO,

to organise a one-day training workshop for female parliamentary aspirants in the

three northern regions. Participants were trained on issues of campaigning and

public speaking. The resource persons were from the Electoral Commission and

NCCE.

Other Stakeholders: Among other stakeholder groups identified for education

towards the December 2008 General election were religious groups, the business

community, workers and artisans. The type of audience largely determined the

strategy adopted for the education. The major issues for sensitization included: (i)

the concept of democracy, (ii) elections and its processes, (iii) peaceful campaigns

and elections, (iv) the role of the political parties and the agents in a peaceful

elections, and (v) the role of the electorate in successful elections (vi) electoral

offences and penalties and (vii) need for political tolerance before during and after

the elections.

A1.1.8 Platforms for Aspiring Parliamentary Candidates

To ensure the total success of the December 7, 2008 elections, common platforms

were organised for all aspiring parliamentary candidates in some constituencies.

The platform gave the NCCE officials the opportunity to go through the Code

of Conduct for Political Parties and the Public Order Act with the people. The

candidates had a platform to interact with the electorate, lay bare their manifesto

and also pledged their commitment to peace. After the presentations by the

candidates there were questions and answers during which the electorate asked

the candidates varied questions moderated by the NCCE official.


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In the Brong Ahafo Region, 10 of such fora were oraganised; two in the Sene

District and one each in Asunafo South (August 29, 2007), Berekum/Dormaa/

Jaman South (August 26, 2008) Techiman (September 11, 2008), Wenchi and

Tain. In the Northern Region sponsorship for the platform organised at Walewale

on November 22, 2008 came from RURIC and IBIS-Ghana. In the Eastern Region

15 of such platforms were organise with notable ones in Suhum (November 5,

2008), Akwatia (November 6, 2008), and Okere (November 7, 2008). While the

events in some constituencies such as Suhum and Adukrom passed successfully,

others such as Akwatia was characterised by rowdy scenes, in an attempt to

heckle a candidate.

In the Upper East Region peace messages were delivered by aspiring parliamentary

candidates of Navrongo Central, Bawku Central and Pusiga/Pulmakuom

constituencies. In the Volta Region, fora were held at Hohoe South, South Tongu

(Sogakope) and Jasikan (Buem)

A1.1.9 Establishment of Inter Party Dialogue Committees (IPDC)/Formation

of Regional Enforcement Bodies

As part of the effort to promote peace before, during and after the 2008 elections

inter-party dialogue committees were formed to address minor issues of political

conflict emanating from the constituencies through dialogue. The platform of the

IPDC afforded participants the opportunity to relate to each other and verbalise

their concerns on political party campaigns in a bid to attain peace before, during

and after the December 2008 elections. Membership of the Committees were

drawn from political parties, including the NDC, NPP, PNC, DFP, CPP, and civil

society organizations, the Electoral Commission, CHRAJ, GPRTU, Hair Dressers

Association, religious organizations and heads of departments.

The IPDC were particularly vibrant in the three northern regions of the country,

namely Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions. In some districts

sponsorship for the formation and work of the committees came from Action Aid

International. Thus in Tamale meetings were held on August 22, 2008, August

28, 2008, September 11, 2008 and September 25, 2008. In Zebilla, meetings

were held on June 11, 2008 and August 3, 2008.In the Kassena-Nankana District

meetings were held on June 12, 2008, June 30, 2008 and August 15, 2008.

Formation/Work of Regional Enforcement Body: In some regions of the country,

where the IPDC were not active, the NCCE collaborated with the Institute of

Economic Affairs (IEA) to establish and inaugurate the Regional Enforcement Body

under the political parties’ code of conduct of July 2008. The bodies meet once

every month to deliberate on issues concerning breaches of the code, documents

and reports to the National Enforcement Body.

The inauguration of the Volta Regional body was performed by officials of the

Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) led by Brigadier General Francis Agyemfra,

former Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces. The Regional Director of the

NCCE served as secretary to the body, whilst the Regional Director of the Electoral

Commission was chairman.

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A1.1.10 Peace Marches

To reduce the incidence of political violence before, during and after election 2008,

some district offices of the Commission organized peace marches involving all

the political parties in the districts. Participants in the peace marches were the

executive members of the political parties in the districts. Also in attendance were

religious bodies, women leaders, security agencies, physically challenged and the

general public. Among places where very successful marches were organised were

Bongo and Bawku both in the Upper East Region, Swedru in the Central Region,

Abokobi and Dome-Kwabenya in the Greater Accra Region and Wa in the Upper

West Region. The march took marchers through the principal streets of the town

and was later addressed by the district director of the NCCE, the district chief

executive and leaders of the political parties active in the district.

A1.1.11 Election Observation

As part of efforts towards the success of the December 2008 elections, several bodies

collaborated with the NCCE to undertake one or more educational programme.

Two of such very successful partnerships were with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES)

and the Institute of Democratic Governance/Civic Forum Initiatives.

The collaboration with IDEG-CFI was mainly in the area of voter education and

election observation.

The NCCE/IDEG-CFI collaboration started with the training of regional co-

ordinators at the Public Forum Hall of IDEG in Accra on November 17, 2008.

The NCCE was represented by twenty-five (25) participants who included the

Commission Secretary, Headquarters Directors and Regional Directors. IDEG-

CFI was represented by Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of IDEG, and

ten others. The facilitators included Prof. Kwame Ninsin and Dr. Kwesi Jonah

both of IDEG, Mr. Kwaku Baa Owusu, Director of Public Education of NCCE, Mr.

Augustine Okrah, Principal Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission, and

Mr. Emmanuel Bombande, Executive Secretary of WANEP.

The training equipped the staff of the Commission on how to undertake an

observation on the election process with focus on such issues as “election

observation/monitoring”, “what to observe” and “answering a checklist for

observation” and “collation and declaration of results”.

The Accra training was replicated in the regional capitals for selected NCCE officials

and members of the IDEG/Civic Forum Initiative (CFI). In the Eastern Region the

training took place in Koforidua on December 3, 2008 on Monday, November 24,

2008 and on December 3, 2008. In the Upper East Region training was held at the

SSNIT Conference Room on December 3, 2008.

In the Brong Ahafo Region election observation was undertaken in 20 selected

Constituencies, whilst in the Western Region observation took place in 10

constituencies.


15

The observation from the field indicated that the voting process on the whole

was orderly and peaceful. In the Eastern Region minor skirmishes were recorded

in Suhum, Somanya, Asesewa, and Atimpoku but these were quickly and

professionally brought under control by the security agencies present.

High Incidence of Rejected Ballots: The general observation in most regions was

the high incidence of rejected ballots. It was observed that the introduction by the

Electoral Commission of the new mode of preventing multiple voting, that is the

dipping of the left last finger into the indelible ink confused many voters. Though

voters were to use their small finger to mark their preferences on the ballot paper,

the end result was that most of the ballot papers went into the ballot boxes blank

because the ink dried up on the finger. Most voters did not see or look for the ink

pad provided in the polling booth. Besides, protest votes, arising from intra-party

conflicts (mainly personality clashes) could not be ruled out.

Transfer List: It was observed in several constituencies that there were too many

transfers and proxy voting. In many instances, the transfer list was not made

available before the beginning of the polls, and even at some of the polling centres,

the list were hand-written which raised a lot of suspicion, especially from the

party agents belonging to the opposition political parties. The large numbers

of persons on the transfer and proxy voter list was a source of concern to some

political parties.

A1.1.12 Voter Education on Presidential Election Run-Off

The presidential election on December 7, 2008 failed to produce a clear winner

and as such all officers at the national headquarters, regional and district offices

went into the field to carry out voter education on the second round presidential

election. One key concern of officers was ensuring the reduction of rejected

ballots. Indeed, at the December 7, 2008 elections the rejected Ballot Paper stood

at 205,438 representing 2.4 per cent. This gave cause for concern as it was the

view of many that the percentage of rejected ballots could well have made a clear

difference at the first ballot, making a run-off unnecessary. The other concern of

the Commission was that such high percentage of rejected ballots undermined the

sovereign will of the people, and that some voters who had made efforts to cast

their votes did not influence the outcome of the elections positively.

To ensure that the number of rejected ballots are reduced drastically, and to

promote massive voter turn-out, officers of the Commission embarked on street and

market announcements on the voter education for the second round presidential

election. Massive use was also made of other mass media channels, including the

radio and television.

A1.1.13 NCCE Statement on Elections

The Commission issued three press statements in connection with the 2008

Elections. The first statement titled “Press Statement by the NCCE on Peaceful

Election in Ghana 2008” was read at a media conference held at the KAMA

Conference Hall, Labone-Accra, on January 18, 2008.

16


The introductory part of the statement drew attention to the growing cancer of

electoral disputes in Africa with particular reference to the electoral dispute in

Kenya.

Ghana, the statement continued, had in the last 15 years of constitutional rule

had three successful elections —1996, 2000 and 2004 and it was important

that the 2008 elections should be equally successful. Towards that goal, the

statement identified some key stakeholders to include The Electoral Commission,

The President, Political Parties, Candidates, Police and other Security Agencies,

The Media, Religious Bodies, Chiefs and Traditional Authorities, Judicial and the

General Public.

On the Electoral Commission, the NCCE asked its officers as well as all temporary

staff to perform their role in a transparent and unquestionable manner. The

Electoral Commission was asked to ensure that pre-election activities such as

opening and exhibition of voters register were not taken advantage of by anybody or

groups of people for their political benefit. The NCCE, guided by past experiences,

advocated the counting and collation of election results to be completed before

nightfall at all centres. The current voting period of 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., it was

suggested it should be reviewed to start at 6:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. on

voting day. The statement appealed to the President to demonstrate fairness for all

in his actions and speeches. The Media Conference by the Commission was most

timely and gave the NCCE the necessary media coverage.

In September 2008 the Commission again issued a press statement titled “A

Call for Peace and Tolerance-A Statement by the NCCE” reminding all citizens,

institutions, agencies and state or non-state organs about the critical role each

one needs to play in ensuring a free, fair and peaceful election in December 2008.

The statement also stressed on the need for tolerance which it described as a

virtuous ingredient in life. The statement stressed that “The resort to violence at

the least provocation, it must be emphasized, reduces our capacity as a people

to appreciate our individual and collective potentials towards building a stable,

vibrant, united and free society for this country”.

On December 30, 2009 when the country was awaiting the results of the run-

off, the Commission after an emergency meeting on that day, issued a statement

urging the Electoral Commission to be fearless and declare the results of the run-

off of the Presidential match that was played on December 28, 2008. It appealed

to the elders of the nation, the clergy of all faiths, the chiefs, organized labour,

farmers and fishermen, women’s groups, etc, to rise up to stem the evil wind that

was blowing inexorably towards Ghana. Finally it called on all Ghanaians to rise

up and jealously guard the Constitution, particularly Articles 1 (1) and (2), Article

3 (2) and Article (4).


17

A drama troupe performing at Kete Krachi.

A drama on political tolerance at Bimbilla.

18


Political Parties Youth Activists Workshop at the University of Ghana, Legon.

Representatives of political parties and key stakeholders in

Elections 2008 at a meeting at Elmina.


19

Mr. Baffour Awua-Dokyi presenting postters to Mr. Baron Amoafo, Deputy

Chairman (Programmes) of the NCCE. Looking on is Mrs. Augustina A.

Akumanyi, Deputy Chairman (F&A) of the NCCE.

NCCE-IDEG/CFI Workshop on Election Observation held in Accra.

20


Region

Greater

Accra

Ga West

Accra Metropolis

Ga East

9 (including a big durbar at Pokuase) 10 (including programme on Obonu FM-

96.5 MHz-, Happy FM-98.9 MHz-and Hot

FM-93.9MHz)

6 (including film show at Kwabenya DC

Pri. Sch.

Eastern Kwaebibrem 23 including a big durbar and film show at Nkwantanang

Ashanti Kumasi Metropolis

Obuasi

11 (6 on radio) 23

BrongAhafo Pru

18 (including film shows at Kojo Bafour and Parambo No.1 and four panel

discussion on Radio BAR (93.5 MHz)

Central

Twifo-Heman-Lower Denkyira

Awutu-Efutu-Senya

Cape Coast

Ajumako-Enyan-

Esiam

5 19 (including a film show on near New

Canoe Site on Oyibi Road, Winneba

12

17

A1.2 Public Education on Worst Forms of Child Labour

The 2007 report of the Commission intimated the start of trainer of trainers

workshops for staff of the NCCE as a prelude to nationwide public education on

the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL). The Third batch of district directors and

staff from the headquarters at the level of district directors, numbering 58, had

their training from January 22 to 24, 2008. The last orientation course involving

14 officers, namely the ten regional directors and four selected directors at the

headquarters, took place from January 24 to 28, 2008.

Though all districts were expected to carry out public education on the effects

of child labour, funding was given to 20 selected districts which were identified

as areas with very high incidence of WFCL. Indeed, a survey undertaken by the

Research Department of the NCCE in January 2006 found that all forms of child

labour are prevailing at varying degrees in all the regions. Head porterage was the

highest, with 25 per cent. The second on the list was farming with 19.4 per cent

of responses. Domestic servitude, mining and quarrying had the same percentage

of 15.8 per cent and this was followed by commercial sex exploitation accounting

for 8.9 per cent.

From January 2008 all the 20 selected districts began a variety of sensitisation

and awareness-raising activities, including durbars, community theatres and

role-play, as well as mobile van publicity drives.

On the next page is a summary of some programmes undertaken in 20 selected

districts in 2008.

Selected District


No. of Activities Organised

21

Western

Wassa West

7 (including the celebration of International World Day against Child

Labour at Garkwa on June 12, 2008)

Northern Tolon- Kumbungu 5

Volta

Ketu

Jasikan

North Tongu

South Tongu

Kpando

9 (including a durbar at Akpatoeme/Zukpe )

8

9 (including a durbar at Torgome)

15

12 (including a big durbar at Agata/

Agatanyigbe

Upper East Talensi — Nabdam

Bolgatanga Municipality

5

15 including a roundtable discussion)

Fora organised by the NCCE often emphasised awareness and sensitisation

activities, the clarification of concepts (such as child labour, worst forms of child

labour, hazardous work), existing legislation against child labour, consequences

and effects of child labour (in relation to education, health and physical and

emotional development of the child) and available satisfactory and sustainable

alternatives and the benefits of the alternatives.

The Commission also utilised the Social Mobilisation Partners Against Child

Labour (SOMOPAC), a network set up by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)

with the support of ILO time bound project to promote multi-dimensional and

extensive campaigns.

Public reactions to the programmes were very encouraging as they readily embraced

the idea of forming child labour clubs in their communities and institutions in

support of the campaign. In Obuasi Municipality, the NCCE team managed to form

child labour committees and children’s right clubs in the communities as well as

educational and religious institutions. A special appeal was made to the NCCE to

support the clubs with some incentives to serve as a motivation to members to

sustain the clubs.

22


The last batch of officers who were at the NCCE/IPEC-ILO training workshop.

Pupils at a durbar on Child Labour at Nkwantanang.


23

A1.3 Annual National Constitution Week Celebrations

The Annual National Constitution Week entered its eighth year celebration in this

year. The theme chosen for the week-long celebration, The Sovereign Will of the

People and Elections 2008 highlighted the importance of the franchise.

A1.3.1 Activities Organised

The week was celebrated from April 28 to May 4, 2008 with activities at national,

regional and district levels.

A1.3.1.1 Headquarters Organised Activities

National Organising Committee Meeting: The National Organizing Committee

of the Annual National Constitution Week of the NCCE held its meeting at the

Conference Room of the NCCE on April 10, 2008. The theme The Sovereign Will

of the People and Elections 2008 was thus to emphasise the key principle of the

Universal Adult Suffrage which is underscored by the 1992 Constitution.

Media Briefing: The media briefing was held at the Conference Room of the

Headquarters in Accra on April 22, 2008. In attendance were representatives

from 20 media houses as well as Commission members and Directors at the

Headquarters. Mr. Laary Bimi, Chairman of the NCCE, delivered the keynote

address.

Main Lecture: The main lecture for the Week was delivered by John Mark Opoku

of the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping and Training Centre (KAIPTC), on

the theme of the Week held at the Coconut Groove Regency Hotel, Ridge in Accra,

on April 28, 2008.

Fora With Security Agencies: As part of activities marking the 2008 Annual National

Constitution Week Celebrations some Commission Members, Headquarters

directors and members of the National Organising Committee held various fora

with members of the security services on the theme The Sovereign Will of the

People and Election 2008: The Role of the Security Agencies. The venue was the

conference halls at the headquarters of the various security services. Apart from

the fora for the Ghana Prisons Service and Ghana Immigration Service which took

place on April 30 and May 14, 2008 respectively all the others took place on May

2, 2008.

Symposium Organized in Collaboration With Students of University of Education,

Winneba: The NCCE collaborated with the Psychology Department of the University

of Education, Winneba, to organize a forum with Youth and Students at the

British Council Hall, Accra, on April 29, 2008. The symposium was held on the

theme Educating the Youth on Political Tolerance in an Election Year-The Role of the

Counsellor.

24


A1.3.1.2 Regional Activities

Alongside activities organized by the headquarters, regional and district offices

also organized some activities. Due to financial constraints at the district level

only some districts were selected to organize the activities.

Ashanti Region: The regional launch of the week took place at Jacobu in the

Amansie Central District on April 29, 2008. The second activity, which was a

quiz competition, took place at Agona on May 16, 2008. The prizes given the four

participating schools were donated by the Sekyere Rural Bank.

Brong Ahafo Region: A Stakeholders’ forum was held at the Methodist Church,

Berekum on the theme of the week.

Central Region: In the Effutu Municipality a women’s forum was organized at

the Central Assembly, Church of Pentecost of Winneba (near Taxi Rank), on

Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Two municipalities namely Komenda-EdinaAbrem

and Agona also held durbars to commemorate the week.

Eastern Region: The Eastern Regional launch of the week took place at the New

Juaben Municipal Assembly Conference Hall on Tuesday, April 28, 2008. This was

followed by a durbar with security services at the Regional Police Headquarters in

Koforidua on May 2, 2008. Three other districts, namely West Akyem, Fanteakwa,

New Juaben and Manya Krobo.

Greater Accra Region: The regional launch of the week took place at Teiman

Community Centre on May 5, 2008. The Tema Metropolitan Office of the NCCE

held a one-day forum at the Junior Officer’s Mess at Michel Camp on April 15,

2008. Two other districts, namely Ga East and Ga West held fora to mark the

week.

Upper East Region: The regional launch of the week took place at the Bolgatanga

Municipal Assembly Hall on June 26, 2008. These were followed by stakeholders

forum at Navrongo in the Kassena-Nankana, and the Talensi-Nabdam districts.

Upper West Region: The regional launch of the week took place on a local radio

station on April 28, 2008. The Wa, Sissala East and Jirapa-Lambussie districts

also organized fora to commemorate the week in their districts.

Volta Region: The regional launch of the week took place at the World Vision

International Conference Hall (Dumenyo Hall), Ho, on Tuesday, April 29, 2008.

Four district offices, namely Ho, Hohoe, Kpando, and Keta also organized activities

to commemorate the week.

Western Region: The celebrations in the region were heralded with a regional launch

on Melody FM (91.1 MHz). Activities were also organized in the Sekondi-Takoradi

Metropolitan Area, Mpohor Wassa East District and Sefwi Wiawso districts as part

of the week-long celebrations.


25

Mr. Laary Bimi, Chairman of the NCCE, addressing the media on the Eighth Annual

National Constitution Week celebrations.

A cross-section of participants at the main lecture of the Eighth Annual Constitution

Week Celebrations held at the Coconut Groove Regency Hotel, Accra. Inset Mr. Farhan

Laary Bimi, the Chairman of the NCCE, delivering the welcome address.

26


A1.4 Civic Education Clubs

The Civic Education Clubs since their inauguration in 1996 have become the

NCCE’s vehicle for the spreading of civic messages as well as for the study of

the Constitution of Ghana among students and pupils. In the year under review

several activities were organized by clubs at the national, regional and district

levels.

A1.4.1 Ashanti Region

The Atwima Nwabiagya district office on Wednesday, November 23, 2008 organized

an educational tour for Toase Senior High School to Assin Manso Slave Research

Center, Kakum National Park and Cape Coast Castle.

A quiz contest was organized for some four junior high schools namely, Wiamoase

Presby, Jarnasi Experimental JHS, Kona D/A2 and Agona Presby JHS; this was

sponsored by the Sekyere Rural Bank Ltd and was graced by the Board Chairman

of the Bank, GES officials and the NCCE regional director.

A1.4.2 Brong Ahafo Region

A total of forty Civic Education Club activities were orgnised during the year

under review. The activities took the form of reactivation, formation as well as

inauguration of the clubs. They involved thirty-four (34) basic schools, four (4)

second cycle institutions and two (2) pito brewery associations.

A1.4.3 Central Region

The Mozano Experimental Senior High School CEC with assistance from the

Gomoa District Office of the NCCE had an excursion to the Ghana Broadcasting

Corporation, Graphic Communications Group and the Kwame Nkrumah

Mausoleum, all in Accra, on February 14, 2008.

A1.4.4 Eastern Region

The Yilo Krobo Senior High School CEC organized an excursion to Parliament

House, Ghana Airport Company Limited and the Headquarters of the NCCE on

February 21, 2008. The Asuogyaman District also organized an excursion for the

Nuudu/Aboasa Civic Education Club to Mountain Afadjato and Wli Waterfalls on

March 7, 2008.

2.4. 6 Greater Accra Region

Over twenty (20) quiz/debate and twenty-eight (28) constitution game competitions

were organized in first and second cycle schools in the Greater Accra Region. In

addition, thirteen (13) educational trips were also organized for CEC members to

make them abreast with current issues of national interest. One very successful

activity was an education programme on the Judiciary held for 52 members of the


27

Accra Polytechnic Civic Education Club on June 5, 2008. The resource person

was the Metro Director, Mr. Eric Bortey.

A1.4.7 Northern Region

CECs were formed in five schools in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District. The schools

were: Zongo JHS (on February 27, 2008), St. Paul’s JHS, Bunkpurugu (February

27, 2009), Bunkpurugu Senior High Technical School (February 29, 2008),

Salimbogu ’A’ JHS (March 3, 2008), and Salimbogu ’B’ JHS (March 10, 2008).

A1.4.8 Upper West Region

The St. Clare’s Vocational Institute, Kanton Senior High School and Tumu Senior

High/Technical School, all in Tumu, were visited on a number of occasions and

members were taken through Chapter 26 of the 1992 Constitution. In all twenty

three schools were visited by officers of the NCCE in various districts.

A1.4. 9 Volta Region

The Keta Office continued to revive a number of CECs in basic schools like R.C.

Norlivime, Dzelukope E. P., AME Zion and Dzelukope R.C. Basic schools. On

March 12, 2008 Keta Senior High School Civic Education Club made an excursion

to Parliament House, Accra. Mr. Daniel Glikpo, Assistant Civic Education Officer,

accompanied the team.

A1.4. 10 Western Region

Five new clubs were formed in Axim in the Nzema East District during the year.

They include Anglican, St. Anthony, Methodist and SDA Junior High schools and

the Nsien Senior High School.

28


Handing over of old to new executives of Accra Polytechnic CEC.

Ms. Cecilia Dam, Senior Field Officer at the Accra Metro Office of the NCCE,

swearing in executive members of New Nation School at Nima-Accra after

inauguration of the CEC at the school.


29

2.5 Ghana Constitution Game Competition

The Ghana Constitution Game Competition remains one of the flagship

programmes of the NCCE. The games were instituted to facilitate the study of

the Constitution in a relaxed atmosphere.

From 2003 yearly competitions had been held at the district level to select

district champions who went on to compete at the regional level, and the regional

champions going on to the national championship. The inter-district competitions

often took place in October-November each year and those who emerged as

regional champions met in Accra in April of the following year for the national

championship. Due to financial constraints regional championships could not be

organized in 2008.

The fifth Annual National Championship of the Ghana Constitution Game

Competition which brought together schools that emerged as regional champions

in the October-November of the previous year was held at the Ghana Girls Guide

Association Centre, Achimota-Accra, on Sunday, April 27, 2008.

The six-hour competition was preceded with a brief opening ceremony which was

under the chairmanship of Mr. Kwaku Baa Owusu, Director of Public Education.

Mrs. Augustina Akosua Akumanyi, Deputy Chairman (Programmes) of the NCCE

delivered the keynote address and performed the formal opening.

The competition started with the reading of the rules of the game by Mrs. Mary

Sakyi-Ankrah, PCEO at the Headquarters of the NCCE. A balloting that was done

gave the order of schools to compete in the all-play-all competition.

Eleven schools took part in the competition. Ten of them were regional champions,

whilst the eleventh, Anlo Senior High School, Anloga, were defending champions.

Out of the 11 schools present only two (Ejisuman Senior High and Acherensua

Senior High) were at the national championship for the first time. The other nine

schools had each contested the national championship before. Salaga Senior High

School had won the competition on two occasions.

After the 11 rounds of the all-play-all competition which lasted for six hours, the

following were the results:

School

Region

Marks

Points Position

Anlo Senior High School, Anloga

Ketao Senior High School, Keta

Pentecost Senior High Sch. Koforidua

Ada Senior High School, Ada Foah

Diabene Senior High/Tech. Sch. Sekondi

Salaga Senior High School, Bimbilla

St. Francis Xavier Seminary/SHS, Wa

Notre Dame Senior High Sch. Navrongo

Acherensua Senior High School

Ejisuman Snr. High Sch. Kumasi Swedru SHS, Agona Swedru

Volta 170

Volta 165

Eastern 180

G/ Accra 100

Western 100

Northern 65

U/West 90

Upper East 80

Brong Ahafo 65

Ashanti 20 Central 15

27

27

24

18

15

15

12

12

9

6 6

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th 11th

30


For emerging winners, Anlo Senior High School had a deep freezer, a megaphone,

T-Shirts, NCCE calendars and a golden plaque. The other schools for being regional

champions got a 21-inch Flat TV, megaphone, T-Shirts, NCCE calendars and a

golden plaque each. The prizes were presented to the school at the main lecture

of the Annual National Constitution Week Celebrations held at the Coconut Grove

Regency Hotel on April 28, 2008.


31

The 2007 GCG Regional Championship in progress. St. Francis Xavier Seminary/SHS,

Wa (left) vrs. Salaga Senior High School, Salaga.

Anlo Senior High School displaying their prize for emerging winners of the 2008

National Championship of the Ghana Constitution Game.

32


A1.6 Social Auditing Programme

In 2005 the NCCE started the Social Auditing Programme on a pilot basis. The

success chalked up during the pilot phase necessitated the expansion of the

programme to other districts of the country. Funding for the project came partly

from a special fund released to the NCCE from HIPC Fund.

Funding from the project since the last funding has not been forthcoming. The

result is a slow-down in the work of various committees set up to facilitate action

plans drawn up by communities. Two regions, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo, however

continued the programmes in spite of the constraints. The report focuses on

activities in the two regions.

A1.6. 1 Ashanti

In the Atwima Mponua District, communities such as Akoraboukrom and

Kensakrom in the Atwima Nwabiagya District managed to complete their projects

whilst those of Akotaa and Pamuruso are at the roofing stage.

In the Ahafo Ano District, Manfo and Jacobu have been able to build for themselves

community public latrines whilst Kotei-Nkwanta have partially completed a

primary school.

A1.6. 2 Brong Ahafo Region

The Nkoranza District embarked on monitoring of projects during the compilation

of the report. The office reached out to three (3) communities in the Nkoranza

District, namely Bonte, Pinihini and Akropong, made great strides in their projects.

At Bonte the water project, estimated at GH¢5,400.00, was being pursued

vigorously. The citizens of the town living abroad agreed to provide the necessary

equipment for the project, while the residents were made to contribute GH¢2.50

per head.

At Pinihini it was resolved to levy the citizens in order to complete an electrification

project. Adults in the community were taxed to pay GH¢1.00 while non-residents

paid GH¢2.00.


33

A1.7 Collaborative Programmes

A1.7.1 NCCE-NAPRM-GC

The NCCE in the last three years (2005-2007) collaborated with National African

Peer Review Mechanism Governing Council (NAPRM-GC) in educating the general

public on issues of governance and for the NAPRM-GC to execute its mandate

at the national, regional and district levels. More specifically the NCCE assisted

the NPRM-GC in organizing APRM Week, Sensitization Workshops and fora for

validation of APRM Progress Reports.

In the year under review the focus of co-operation was assisting the NAPRM-GC in

the inauguration and training of members of APRM District Oversight Committees.

The DOCs are voluntary associations of local representatives empowered by the

Council to supervise the implementation of the National Programme of Action at

the district level. They educate and sensitise community members to understand

and own the APRM; promote and facilitate the sharing and dissemination of

information, ideas and experiences of the APM process within and between districts

and to co-operate with other social networks and organisations within the district

with similar objectives.

Membership of the DOCs are drawn from identifiable stakeholder groups, including

women’s groups, youth groups, and persons with disability, community-based

organizations, and traditional authorities and the public and private sectors.

THE NCCE, used its network of offices and personnel to co-ordinate the selection

of members of DOC and also helped in organization of training courses for the

members immediately after their swearing into office. District Directors of the

NCCE serve as ex-officio members of the DOC.

Among the DOCs established in 2008 were:

Ashanti Region: Atwima Nwabiagya, Atwima Mponua, Ahafo Ano South, and Ahafo

Ano North on November 24, 2008. That of Ejisu was inaugurated on November

11, 2008.

Bring Ahafo Region: Asunafo North, Asunafo South and Asutifi (April 28, 2008),

Sunyani West, Tano South, Tano South, Sunyani (May 1, 2008),

Central Region: Cape Coast (March 10, 2008), Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem

(March 11, 2008), Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (March 12, 2008), Assin Soutth

(March 13, 2008) and Mfantseman (March 14, 2008).

Upper West Region: Wa, Wa West, Nadowli, Jirapa and Lawra (March 31, 2008).

Wa East, Sissala East and Sissala West (April 2, 2008). Lambussie (April 4, 2008).

A1.7.2 NCCE-Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII).

The NCCE continued collaboration with the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the

local chapter of Transparency International (TI). A series of two-day workshops

were oragnised in selected districts including Jomoro in the Western Region,

Amasaman in the Ga West Municipality, Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region,

Ho in the Volta Region. The workshops were held on the theme “Fighting

34


Corruption-An Agenda for Democracy and Good Governance”. The objectives of

the workshops were to create awareness on the effects of corruption and empower

them to demand responsiveness, accountability and transparency from people

and institutions in their communities and the regional administrative structures

and to help government and the citizenry put in more systematic and sustainable

reforms for the long-term goal of eradicating corruption/poverty, especially at the

community level in our society.

Topics treated during the two-day workshop included “Manifestation of corruption

in the Ghanaian society. New developments in fighting corruption”, “Enhancing

good governance through effective decentralization: a focus on the Municipal/

Metropolitan/ District Assembly System” and “Local participation and Social

Auditing for good governance”

Participants in the workshops included assembly members, chiefs, public/civil

servants, representatives of political parties, religious bodies, security agencies

and youth movements.

The workshop succeeded in creating an awareness of the negative effects of

corruption and to sensitize citizens at the regional level to demand responsiveness,

and the resolve of participants to help stem the canker in the society.

A1.7.2 NCCE-WVI

Ashanti Region: The Ejura-Sekyedumase District Office was assisted by the World

Vision International (WVI) and Ashanti ADP to carry out educational programmes in twenty communities from June 3 to 13, 2008 for traditional rulers, opinion

leaders, assembly members, political party activists, religious bodies and

community members.

Northern Region: The Tolon District Office in collaboration with WVI, GES and

CHRAJ embarked on a sensitization campaign on enrolment and retention of

children in schools. Communities visited included Fihini, Koblimahagu, Tamalgu,

Kpaniyili, Naparun, Kambonayili, Kpachiyili, Kpana, Yobzeri and Tingoli.

Greater Accra Region: The Ga Municipal office with support of the World Vision

Ghana held a programme on the Rights of the Child for Parent Teacher Associations

(PTAs) of some selected schools. The programmes took place from April 5, 2008 to

June 10, 2008. The main objective of the programme was to educate and sensitize

the target audience (PTAs), especially the parents to the selected topics and to

make them aware of the mental and emotional disposition of an abused child, as

well as the legal remedies in case of child rights violations and abuses.

It was evident that most parents were not aware of the rights of children, were not

aware of the legal implications for violating children’s rights as well as where to

seek remedies, especially in the case of child labour.


35

A1.8 Regional Programmes

A1.8.1 Ashanti Region

Sustainable Management of the Environment: Some district offices took up the

campaign against Environmental Degradation and Bushfires. In Bosomtwe, over

23 communities were visited. Other offices that undertook educational campaigns

were Adansi North, Asante Akim South, Sekyere East, Ahafo Ano North and

Amansie West.

Civic Classes: The office embarked on civic classes’ at St. Cyprians Anglican and

Gyinyase Junior High schools. In the course of the year, two schools were further

added which were Holiness International and Calvary International schools. Topics

treated for the civic classes were (i) What is NCCE?, (ii) Functions of the NCCE,

(iii) How the 1992 Constitution came into being, (iv) Why citizens should know the

Constitution, and (v) Playing the Ghana Constitution Game.

2.8.2 Brong Ahafo Region

Education on Bushfires: Thirty-eight (38) programmes were executed during the

period of reporting to reduce bushfires. The districts that undertook this exercise

were Tano North, Dormaa and Asutifi.

2.8.3 Greater Accra Region

Empowerment of Women: The Greater Accra Regional Office of the NCCE in

collaboration with the ABANTU for Development and Action Aid organized a two-day

capacity building workshop for District Assembly Women at the Ghana Registered

Nurses Association Hostel near Shiashie, Accra, from November 25 to 26, 2008.

Participants were drawn from Eastern, Western and Greater Accra regions. Media

houses such as TV Africa, TV3, GTV, Ghanaian Times, Daily Graphic and Radio

Ghana were also present.

The objectives of the workshop were to eradicate the cultural, legal and political

obstacles to women attaining economic independence and equality before the

law, strengthen the service delivery capacities of women for social and economic

prosperity and ensure that the advancement of women’s interest benefits the

entire nation.

Mr. Bernard Boadi Agyeman, CEO, Prisms Consult, Accra, chaired the function,

whilst speakers were Mrs. Doris Archampong, Greater Accra Regional Director

of the NCCE, Mrs. Harriet Hamida Harrison, Programme Officer of ABANTU for

Development, Mr. Fred Agbobli (CEO), NCCE, and Dr. Addo-Yobo.

The workshop was successful and participants were very appreciative of the bold

initiative of the NCCE, ABANTU for Development and Action Aid to empower

women in the District Assembly.

36


2.8.4 Northern Region

Peace Building and Conflict Transformation Activities: The Sustainable Peace

Initiative (SPI) collaborated with the NCCE to initiate a long term process of

engagement and planning to move Northern Ghana towards the path of sustainable

peace and an enhanced environment for sustainable development over a 15-year

time frame. The project was expected to be carried out in three phases.

In the Memorandum of Understanding signed with SPI, the NCCE undertook to

design focused educational programmes targeting political parties and relevant

communities caught up in violent conflict in the 2004 election. The persuasive

educational messages were to target political party activists to reduce their

belligerent stance and conduct their political activities and campaigns peacefully

before, during and after the December 2008 election.

A total of 15 constituencies were selected for the project, namely Tamale

Central, Kumbungu, Tolon, Yapei/Kusawgu, Yendi, Zabzugu, Gushegu, Karaga,

Bunkpugugu, Damongo/Daboya, Mion, Chereponi, Gambaga and Wulensi.

Training of Trainers Session: The training of the NCCE field staff came off in the

conference room of the Community-Based Rural Development Programme (CBRDP)

on Friday, October 3, 2008. The main facilitator was Mr. Issah A. Nasagri, former

Northern Regional Director of the NCCE.

Constituency Workshops: Workshops for constituencies in the first phase were

held on October 7, 2008 at Yendi and Karaga on October 7, 2008, Tamale Central,

Tolon, Bunkprugu, Zabzugu on October 9, 2008, Gushegu (October, 9, 2008),

Kumbungu (October 11, 2008), and Yapei/Kusawgu (October 14, 2008).

The six constituencies that implemented the second phase were Damongo/

Daboya, Mion, Chereponi, Gambaga/Nalerigu, Wulensi and Bole/Bamboi. The

workshop at Damango was held on November 19, 2008 Mion (November 20,

2008), Chereponi (November 21, 2008), Gambaga/Nalerigu (November 21, 2008)

and Wulensi/ Bole-Bamboi (November 22, 2008).

The workshops followed the same format. There was an opening ceremony during

which the keynote address was delivered by a senior official of the NCCE. The

participants broke into syndicate groups to look at issues such as the Role of

Political Parties, Role of Electoral Commission (EC), Role of Central Government,

Role of the Security Services, Role of the Citizenry. A plenary session was held

to listen to reports from the syndicate group. The workshop ended with a

communiqué.

Issues Raised in the Communiqué: The activities gingered a lot of enthusiasm

among the various political players and they resolved, among others, that:

· Campaigns should be based purely on developmental issues and not

personality attacks and vilifications.

· The bad examples of other African countries that have been shattered by

political and election related violence should not be allowed to rear its ugly

head in Ghana.

· The Electoral Commission should discharge its constitutional mandate of

conducting clean, free, fair and transparent elections in December 2008


37

·

·

·

so that nobody will have an excuse to reject the results and take arms to

unleash mayhem on the people.

More education should be intensified for people to vote peacefully and go back

home instead of massing up at the polling stations to cause unnecessary

tension.

Political parties that participated in the programme agreed to form Inter-

Party Dialogue Committees (IPDCs) to constantly meet and manage their

differences.

All participants must promote peace in the region before, during and after

the 2008 elections.

A1.8.5 Upper East

Peace Building in Bawku: The armed conflict in Bawku in 2008 brought in its

wake insecurity and loss of lives, making it extremely difficult to carry out any civic

education activities in the municipality. Many state and non-state organizations

thus engaged in peace building efforts to restore peace. As part of the effort, Mr.

Laary Bimi, Chairman of the NCCE, held a series of stakeholders meetings in early

July 2008 involving the Municipal Chief Executive and core staff of the municipal

Assembly, NGOs and National Peace Council to solicit their support in carrying

out public education activities on peace building and the need for peaceful co-

existence in the Municipality. In response to this initiative the Bawku Municipal

Assembly and National Peace Council supported the Municipal Office of the

Commission with funds to carry out a number of activities.

The community level sensitization, funded by the Municipal Assembly, involved

giving talks in 20 communities, consisting of 105 Unit Committee on the need for

peaceful co-existence and the rule of law. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) which

were funded by the National Peace Council involved organizing talks and Focus

Group Discussions in 20 communities and talks in 20 schools on the need for

peaceful co-existence and the rule of law.

Another method used was dawn broadcasts. A Nissan pick-up fitted with

loudspeakers was used to cover all the targeted areas throughout the sensitization

period. The message was translated onto a recorded cassette in the Kusaal, Moon

and Hausa languages for wider coverage. The content of the message centered

on the negative effects of conflict on the following areas; education, health, food

security, commerce among others.

A stakeholder forum was held on July 10, 2008 at the Bawku Municipal Assembly

Hall for elected Assembly members, IPDC members, traditional rulers, selected

heads of department, women groups leaders, opinion leaders of the various ethnic

groupings, NGOs in governance etc. The forum attracted fifty participants. At the

end of the forum participants pledged to carry the message back to their followers

and said they would see themselves as peace advocates and respect the rule of

law.

As part of the activities to facilitate peace in the municipality, students from the

three second cycle institutions, namely Bawku Technical Institute, Bawku Senior

High and Bawku Senior High Technical carried out a joint clean-up exercise in the

Bawku Township on August 9, 2008. Over six hundred (600) students took part

in the exercise.

38


A2 Research

A2.1 Introduction

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), established in 1993 by Act

452, has as one of its main functions, “assessing for the information of government, the limitations to achievement of true democracy arising from the existing inequalities between different strata of the population and make recommendations for redressing these inequalities’’. In addition the NCCE is charged to formulate, implement and oversee programmes intended to inculcate in the citizens of Ghana awareness of their civic responsibilities and an appreciation of their rights and obligations as free people.

To actualise the functions of the Commission, the Research Department had in

the last 13 years of its existence undertaken several surveys and opinion polls. For 2008 two opinion polls were conducted, namely Opinion Poll on Issues of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter in Election 2008 and An Assessment of Election 2008 Community Drama Programme of the NCCE Towards Election 2008.

A2.2 The Opinion Poll on Issues of Concern to the Ghanaian

Voter in Election 2008

In April, 2004, the NCCE conducted its first poll of issues of concern to the voter.

The findings of that survey apart from providing issues for candidates to handle also shifted the focus of campaigns from personalities to issues. Stakeholders applauded the efforts of the commission and called for the sustenance of the survey. It is also expected that the issues raised by the public will be at the center of the campaign message of political parties and candidates. If the electioneering is based on issues the voting public will be adequately equipped to make informed choices. Overall, our democratic practice will be deepened and Ghana will be the ultimate winner.

Following the 2004 Poll, the Commission in April 2008 undertook another poll on

Issues of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter.

The overall objective of this survey was to collate information on issues of concern

to Ghanaian Voters. Specifically, the survey sought to provide: o Political parties with issues that voters would like them to address; o Policy makers and civil society groups: critical areas that Ghanaians

want them to address concerning the issues raised. o The Commission with adequate information that would help it under

take an effective civic/voter education towards the December 2008 general election.

Methodology and Survey Instruments

The study was designed as a representative nationwide sample survey, where

every person in a household in the country had an equal chance of inclusion in the sample Two main instruments were used to collect the primary data. These were a structured questionnaire and a focus group guide. Considering the main objectives of this survey, the basic sampling unit was determined to be households


39

with a population aged 18 and above which is the voting age in the country. All

the existing 230 constituencies in the country were involved in the survey. In all 24 questionnaires were administered in every constituency. Four Enumeration Areas (EA) were randomly selected in each constituency. Six (6) questionnaires were administered in each EA.

In addition, six focus group discussions (FGDs) were organised during the study.

The country was zoned into three sectors and two FGDs were held in every sector. One rural and one urban constituency each were chosen for the FGDs.

Training of Research Assistants

Prior to the administration of questionnaires, a one-day training was organized

for all research assistants and FGDs facilitators in the ten regional capitals from April 8 to 18, 2008. Research Officers were adequately briefed on the objective and relevance of the survey and the research instruments. After training sessions, each research officer was given a set of questionnaires to administer. A total of 5,496 questionnaires were administered in the 230 constituencies. The total number of questionnaires administered in a region depended on the number of constituencies. The reponse rate was 99.2 per cent.

Field data from the structured questionnaire was audited, coded and analyzed at

the NCCE headquarters using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16) and Microsoft Word-Excel packages. Information derived from the six FGDs was also synthesized and collated.

The key findings of the survey were as follows:

Ranking of Issues: From the rankings of the ten (10) issues provided, education

came first, followed by health and agriculture. Education had 77.4 per cent of respondents ranking it third or higher (first ), health (65.7 per cent) and Agriculture (43.2 per cent).

The other issues placed as follows in a combined first to third rankings, Women

and Children (30.7 per cent), Economy (22.8 per cent), Youth Development (18.3 per cent), National Security (11.3 per cent), Corruption (10.9 per cent) Housing (10 per cent) and Social Welfare (7.5 per cent)

Education: Education was the topmost issue of concern to the voter. It emphasizes

the fact that knowledge plays a significant role in personal and national development. In all the ten regions, both sexes and age groups had education as their first issue of concern. In terms of specific issues on education respondents wanted government to focus on making education free, especially at the basic level. Out of a total of 7277 responses on education, 1,691 (23.2 per cent) were for free basic education.

The other responses included provision of educational institutions with better

infrastructure (20.1 per cent) and better remuneration and incentives for teachers (16.2 per cent)

For civil society they were to help in the provision of educational materials (30.9

per cent) set up education institutions (21.8 per cent) and set up scholarship

40 NCCE Fifteenth Annual Report ’08

schemes (21.8 per cent), among others. For individuals the major concerns were

for parents and guardians to prioritize wards education (29.9 per cent), send their wards to school (26.4 per cent) and provide educational facilities and materials for their wards.

Health: Health was rated second in seven (7) out of the ten (10) regions and second

by females but third by males. The major expectations of the government in the health sector were for the provision of health facilities (31 per cent); streamlining and nationalizing the National Health Insurance Scheme (21.4 per cent) and the provision of adequately trained and highly motivated health personnel (28.5 per cent). For such respondents the key role that health personnel play in an efficient health system cannot be downplayed. Civil Society on the other hand was expected to help in the equipping of health facilities (31.4 per cent), provide health facilities (21.7 per cent) and embark on intensive public education on health related matters (20.5 per cent).

For individuals they were expected to observe personal hygiene and keep their

environment clean (38.5 per cent), take advantage and register with National Health Insurance Scheme (20.2 per cent) and report illness early at health facilities (14 per cent).

The call therefore was the need for society to have a serious look at the preventive

sector of our health care. It is believed that majority of diseases like malaria and cholera, among others, which affect people in the country could be averted through good personal hygiene and healthy lifestyles.

Agriculture: Agriculture also featured prominently, placing third in the ratings.

Apart from providing food for our daily survival, it plays a key role in the employment of citizens and their economic well-being. On specific issues for the government to focus on subsidies came top with 32.4 per cent. As such for almost one (1) out of every three (3) respondents subsidies is a necessity for the development of the agriculture sector.

Financial support for farmers (21.7 per cent) and need to modernize agriculture

by way of mechanization (13.5 per cent) were the other major issues raised. A noteworthy statistic is the perception that the youth have a role to play in agriculture and government should do all it can to encourage them (3.1 per cent).

Civil Society was expected to give financial support to farmers (37.1 per cent),

provide extension services (29.8 per cent) and set up farms (20.2 per cent). Individuals were expected to work hard and expand production (31.7 per cent), adopt modern technology in farming (26.8 per cent) and form co-operatives to attract finance (15.8 per cent)

Voting in Forthcoming Elections: A whopping majority of respondents 5,327 (96.9

per cent) said they would vote in the forthcoming elections. Only 154 representing 2.8 per cent said they would not vote whereas 15 (0.3 per cent) were undecided. In terms of sex 97.8 per cent of male respondents as compared to 96 per cent of females expressed willingness to vote in the forthcoming national elections. All the ten regions had a large majority of respondents (over 90 per cent) saying they will vote in the forthcoming general election.


41

Political Parties Poll: No political party had the 50 plus one per cent necessary to

win the general election. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) slightly topped with 2360 (42.9 per cent) followed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which had 2341 (42.6 per cent). The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) had 345 (6.3 per cent), Peoples National Convention (PNC) had 60 (1.1 per cent) and other political parties had 39 (0.7 per cent).

3.3 Assessment of Election 2008 Community Drama Programme

of the NCCE Towards Election 2008

Towards the success of the December 7, 2008 elections, the NCCE organized

community drama in 66 communities in all ten regions of the country to encourage Peace building, Conflict Resolution and Political Tolerance. It also sought to encourage effective citizens’ participation in the election. The drama was used alongside the traditional methods of talks and lectures. Given the novelty of the efforts, the Research department was tasked to assess the effectiveness of the Community Drama in conveying the message of the Commission’s Voter Educational Campaign.

The specific objectives of the research were: · To determine whether the Community Drama has improved tolerance levels

within the Community. · To assess whether there are methods for resolution within Communities. · To find out whether the Community Drama has promoted more peaceful

atmosphere within the Community. · To assess the effectiveness of the Community Drama and others as effective

methods of providing Public Education.

The study covered all the sixty-six (66) communities in which the durbars were held in each region in the country. Thirty questionnaires were administered in each community. A total of 1,800 questionnaires were administered in the country using the purposive as well as simple random sampling methods.

Among the major findings were:

·

·

·

·

·

The topmost preference by respondents was drama which was chosen by 42.3 per cent of interviewees who choose it as their first choice for public education in their communities. Radio talks followed with 18 per cent.

The second choice for public education in communities was again drama which was chosen by 22.4 per cent of respondents, the next one was durbar which obtained 21.6 per cent.

The third choice of respondents for public education in communities was durbar which was chosen by 24.8 per cent of respondents, the next one was cinema-documentary which obtained 22.6 per cent.

The fourth choice of respondents was public announcement which was followed by cinema-documentary. They obtained 24.3 per cent and 19.6 per cent respectively.

Public announcement once again topped in the respondents’ choice for the fifth ranked approach as it obtained 29 per cent. Radio talks followed with 20 per cent.

42 NCCE Fifteenth Annual Report ’08

A3 Literature and Materials Development

The Literature and Materials Development Department is mandated to produce

literature and other reading materials to support the Public Education Department

of the Commission to carry out its civic education activities. The Department also

produces reading materials not only for the Commission but also the general

public and the civic education clubs in the various schools in the country. The

major focus of the department, in the year under review, was producing materials

all geared towards educating the public towards the need for a peaceful 2008

election.

A3.1 Calendars

With the financial support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation the Commission

produced wall and desktop calendars which had as its basic theme “Vote Peacefully

in December 2008 “

The calendars were made up of (i) Ten thousand wall calendars and (ii) Five

thousand desk top calendars. In addition two thousand desk top calendars were

produced on the concept of democracy

A3.2 Posters for Election 2008

The Commission produced three different posters for use as educational materials

towards the December 2008 General Election.

The three 130 cm x 120 cm posters carried messages of various kinds.

The first poster which captured two young men flanking a lady, each of them

belonging to different parties: Peace Party, Love Party and Unity Party. Embossed

on top of the picture is Tolerance is a Civic Virtue .

The second poster which captures a lady casting her ballot carries the message:

Ensure Peace through Free, Fair and Transparent Election

The third poster which had a man dressed in local batik with embroidery and

casting his ballot carried the message: Your Sovereign Will. Your Right to Choose.

A total of one million of each posters were produced and distributed across the

country.

A3.3 Brochures

The department also produced brochures to commemorate the 8th Annual National

Constitution Week Celebrations.

A3.4 Project Citizen

The Department handles the Project Citizen programme of the Commission. In

the year under review the Commission organized four teacher training workshops

and three Regional Showcases.


43

A3.4.1 Teacher Training Workshops

In 2006, the project citizen, a portfolio-based interdisciplinary civic education

programme for the youth was introduced into the country by the NCCE and

CIVITAS Ghana with the support of the Centre for Civic Education of the USA.

Efforts were made in 2007 to expand the programme to other regions, from the

initial two regions of Greater Accra and Northern. Training courses were thus

organized for teachers from schools chosen for the expansion of the programme to

other schools and regions.

In 2008 the programme was expanded to four more regions namely, Volta, Ashanti,

Brong Ahafo and Upper West regions. Series of workshops were organised for

patrons of CECs to pilot the project in those regions.

Volta Region: The training workshop in the Volta Region was held at the World

Vision International Conference Centre, Ho, from January 29 to 31, 2008.

Participants in the workshop were 32 Social Studies teachers and Civic Education

Club patrons from each of the sixteen selected schools in the Ho Municipality and

eight officers of the NCCE.

Ashanti Region: The training workshop took place at the SSNIT Conference Hall,

Kumasi, from February 19 to 21, 2008. The workshop was attended by 40

participants made up of 34 Social Studies tutors and patrons of Civic Education

Clubs and 12 officers of the NCCE.

Brong Ahafo Region: The training workshop took place at Tropical Hotel, Sunyani,

from November 4 to 6, 2008. In attendance were teachers from sixteen selected

junior and senior high schools and some civic education officers of the NCCE.

Upper West Region: The three-day training workshop was held at the Workers’

College Assembly Hall, Wa, from September 16 to 18, 2008. In attendance were

thirty-three teachers from seventeen selected junior and senior high schools and

eight NCCE staff with sponsorship from Hanns Seidel Foundation. One unique

feature of the workshop was the participation of four (4) teachers from two special

schools, namely Wa School for the Blind and the Wa School for the Deaf.

The training in Wa in the Upper West Region brought the total number of

implementing schools to one hundred and twenty-eight (128) in nine regions, the

number of teachers two hundred and seventy-five (275) and eighty-seven (87) civic

educators.

A3.4.2 Regional Showcases

As a sequel to the holding of teacher training workshops, regional showcases were

held for schools which had the benefit of training. The showcases were preceded

by an opening ceremony which was often graced by dignitaries from the Ghana

Education Service, NCCE and other organisations. In 2008 showcases were held

in three regions namely, Eastern, Ashanti and Upper East.

Eastern Region: The first Eastern Regional Showcase took place at the GNAT

Auditorium, Koforidua, from June 24 to 27, 2008. A total of 16 schools participated

44


in the showcase. At the end of the three-day of presentation, Aburi Girls Senior High

School emerged first with their presentation “Girl Child Education in Akuapem

South Municipality”.

Ashanti Region: The first Ashanti Regional Showcase took place at the Assembly

Hall of the Prince of Peace Girls’ Senior High School, Kumasi, from June 24 to

27, 2008. Present at the competition were 15 schools made up of eight senior

high schools and seven junior high schools. At the end of the competition St.

Louis Senior High School came tops with their presentation on “Narcotic Drug

Abuse and Trafficking - A Menace to the Society”. In the category of junior high

schools, Bantama Methodist Junior High School came first with their presentation

“Improper Disposal of Refuse”

Upper East Region: The Upper East Regional Project Citizen Showcase took place

at the Assembly Hall of the Bolgatanga Technical from June 30 to July 4, 2008.

Participating schools were six senior high schools and nine junior high schools in

the Bolgatanga Municipality. At the end of the competition Preparatory Junior High

School emerged winners with their presentation “Falling standard of Education in

Bolgatanga Community as a Result of Truancy”.


45

Students of Aburi Girls Senior High School with their portfolio.

Students of St. Louis Senior High School making a presentation at the

Ashanti Regional Showcase.

46


A4 Public Affairs

The Public Affairs Department provides the link between the Commission and its

internal and external publics in a two-way process. Some of the department’s

programmes, undertaken in 2008, aimed at enhancing the image of the Commission

were:

i. Monitoring Media Landscape.

ii. Organising Television and Radio Programmes.

iii. Courtesy Calls on Media Houses.

A4.1 Monitoring Media Landscape

A total of two hundred and ten NCCE related stories were published in the national

newspapers .These included feature articles and letters to the editor on pertinent

issues. The Press Houses that gave coverage to activities of the Commission were:

Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, The Mirror, The Weekly Spectator and the Daily

Guide. The television stations that gave some space to the Commission were GTV,

TV3, TV Africa and Metro TV. .

Press Conference on Kenya Elections: The year began with the world press and

the local media highlighting the violence associated with Kenya’s election. To

draw lessons from the Kenyan experience and set the national agenda for peaceful

election, the NCCE held a press conference on January 11, 2008 at the Kama

Conference Centre, in Accra, to remind all key stakeholders to play their respective

roles effectively to ensure Ghana’s election was successful. Key stakeholders listed

in the press conference included the President, Electoral Commission, Media,

Traditional and Religious leaders, the National Media Commission, Judiciary, the

Security Agencies etc.

Media Houses reacted positively to the NCCE Press Conference with excellent

coverage in both the print and electronic media. Below are some of the headlines

in the print media:

-

-

-

-

‘Change Voting Time —NCCE tells EC’. This appeared on January 12,

2008, page 1 of Ghanaian Times.

’NCCE wants voting period reviewed’ - January 12, 2008 by Daily

Graphic page 14.

Consider this suggestion’ was a follow-up editorial comment by Daily

Graphic —January 12, 2008.

EC says No to call for Change in Voting Time’ —January 14, 2008 by

Daily Graphic.

Uniiq FM —the national radio, Joy FM, Peace FM, Radio Gold and Adom FM all gave

prominence to the NCCE Press Conference in their evening news bulletins. Uniiq FM used the story for two continuous days.

TV 3, TV Africa and Metro TV gave prominence to the press conference during their

prime time news on the evening of January 11, 2008


47

The Deputy Chairman (Programmes) of the NCCE conducted follow-up radio

interviews on Joy FM (99.7 MHz) on January 12, 2008 on the issue of changing the voting time to avoid counting of ballot papers in darkness. The Director (Public Affairs) also spoke on Joy FM on the same subject on January 13, 2008.

A4.2 Courtesy Call on Media Houses

Mrs. Augustina Akosua Akumanyi, Deputy Chairman (Programmes) of the NCCE,

led an NCCE team from the Public Affairs Department to visit about 17 Media houses in Accra between February 26, 2008 and April 23, 2008 to solicit their assistance for NCCE’s activities in 2008 and for support in organizing free and fair elections on December 2008. The media houses visited included: Accra Mail (March 1), TV Africa (March 3), TV3 (March 4), GBC/Uniiq (March 7), Daily Graphic/Mirror (March 13), Metro TV (March 14), Insight (March 27), Statesman (April 14) and Daily Guide (April 23).

A4.3 Media Support for Peaceful Elections Radio Drama

The Commission as part of efforts at educating the public on political tolerance

for a peaceful 2008 elections organized community durbars on violence-free elections. The community drama had a special attraction as an effective mode of communication for ordinary citizens. This method seemed to have an edge over other methods of communication.

In line with this observation, GBC radio and television were used to multiply

messages in drama, to reach a larger audience, because attendance at some of the durbars were not impressive.

Uniiq FM adopted the NCCE community drama script and translated it into

Dagbani and Akan, which they used on their network in October to November 2008. Resource persons were also brought to the studio to discuss the content of the drama, which was based on the need for political tolerance.

The National Television network, GTV, telecast the drama on November 22 and

26 and December 3, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. (in Ga), November 23 and 29, 2008 at 9:00 p.m. (in Akan), and November 29 and December 6, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. (in Dagbani).

GTV

Adult Education in Six Local Languages: GTV offered the Commission two slots to

discuss issues such as: (i) Why Voting Is Important, and (ii) Free, Fair and Peacful Elections. The resource perons from the NCCE were: Mr. Koranteng and Asuman (Akan shows), Alhaji Dauda (Dagbani), Eric Bortey (Ga), Mama Adokuwa-Asigble and Tetteh Quarshie (Ewe), Mercy Essien (Nzema) and Iman Jalil (Hausa).

Breakfast Show in English and Local Languages: NCCE officials also featured on

Breakfast shows of the various Ghanaian Languages.

Talking Point: As part of the effort to help in promoting a conducive atmosphere

for peaceful election 2008, GTV graciously gave the NCCE two (2) slots on ’Talking

Point’ on August 24, 2008 and November 29, 2008. The first slot was taken up

48


by Mr. Baron Amoafo, Deputy Chairman (F&A), whilst Mrs. Augustina Akosua

Akumanyi, Deputy Chairman (Programmes) of the NCCE took the second slot on

November 29, 2008.

In addition, GBC provided a text-based animation on Tit-bits on election 2008, Role

of the Judiciary in Violence-free elections and a short drama skit on the need for

the youth to beware of the antics of politicians.

Ghanaian Times

An editorial comment in the Ghanaian Times of Tuesday, September 9, 2008 issue

raised grave concern about NCCE’s efforts towards promoting tolerance among

the citizenry. Instead of a rejoinder, the Public Affairs Department wrote back to

Ghanaian Times on what NCCE was doing and included a package of educational

materials which was forwarded to Ghanaian Times to enable them to use their

media to help ’inform and educate’ the citizenry on the issue of tolerance, as the

key mandate of every citizen. The educational materials included ’tit-bits on the

elections’, which Ghanaian Times subsequently used on its front page for about

two (2) weeks running (September 12 —October 2, 2008).

Daily Graphic

In August 2008, the Public Affairs Department wrote to 15 media houses in Accra

including four (4) TV stations, six (6) radio stations and five (5) print media houses to solicit their assistance to use their medium to provide some education on: (i) Responsibilities of the Security Agencies in ensuring peaceful elections, (ii) Some election offences, (iii) Tolerance for peaceful election, and (iv) Choosing a good

leader etc.

The Daily Graphic responded favourably by creating a column near its mast head

(flag on the front page) to communicate election related messages generated from

the Daily Graphic.

A feature article in the Daily Graphic on November 10, 2008 by Ms. Lucy Adoma-

Yeboah on page 27 of the daily newspaper titled “NCCE takes us to Electoral

School” lauded the effort of the Commission in educating the citizens on the need

for free, fair and peaceful elections in December 2008..

After the release of the NCCE survey report of April 2008, Daily Graphic did follow-

up articles to soften the hard stance of some media commentators about NCCE’s

opinion polls. Some concerted effort was made by the Public Affairs Department

to diffuse the rumpus created by the survey to explain the Commission’s mandate

and Act 42 (e). Similar efforts were made on Choice FM, TV Africa, Uniiq FM, TV3

(Sunrise). NCCE officers on these media programmes used the opportunity to

explain the significance of this survey to the issue of conducting an issue based

election

TV Africa

TV Africa Programmes used for peaceful election 2008 included “Oman yi mu

nsem” an Akan programme and News interviews in Local languages, such as

Ga, Ewe, Akan, Hausa and Dagbani. Topics discussed included: (i) Why it was

important to vote, (ii) Rights and duties of voters, (iii) Free, fair and peaceful


49

elections, (iv) Tolerance for peaceful elections, (v) The role of security agencies in

elections, (vi) Some election offences, and (vii) The role of the Judiciary in violence

free elections. The resource persons from the NCCE included: Mrs. Augustina

Akosua Akumanyi ( for English/Twi programmes), Paapa Nketsiah (English), Eric

Asuman (Twi/English), Mrs. Doris Acheampong (English/Twi), Eric Bortey (Ga),

Alhaji Dauda (Dagbani), Imam Jalil (Hausa) and Tetteh Quarshie (Ewe).

Support by Other Radio Stations

A one-hour programme “Oman Ji Oman” was aired in Ga on Obonu FM (96.5

MHz). The host/facilitator was Mr. Eric Bortey, Accra Metro Director of NCCE.

The public expects so much education from the NCCE and as such the Commission

needs to engage the media on a regular basis. Out of the over 30 radio stations in

Greater Accra alone, NCCE had slots on just five radio stations. Their request for

sponsorship of programmes suggested by the Commission and the need to pay for

the air-time on some stations limited the Commission’s access to the use of radio,

which inevitably is crucial for the broadcast of civic messages of the Commission.

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SECTION B

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Finance and Administration

The Finance and Administration Division of the NCCE covers the Administration

Department. The Division is also responsible for the finances of the Commission.

In the year under review, efforts were made to infuse efficiency and discipline into

all levels of the Commission.

B1 Administration

The Administration Department is responsible for such issues as General

Administration, Human Resource Development, Estates, Transport and Welfare

of Staff.

B1.1 The Commission

B1.1.1 Commission Meetings

The six-member Commission held 16 meetings in 2008; two of such meetings

were devoted exclusively to issues related to the December 2008 elections. There

continued to exist one vacancy on the Commission. The Commission has written

on several occasions to the appointing authority to fill the vacancy but to date no

response has been forthcoming.

B1.1.2 Regional/District Offices Meetings

For the purposes of smooth and effective administration, the regional, municipal/

district offices of the Commission held a series of meetings to discuss issues

affecting the various offices.

1.2 Human Resource Development (Staff Position, Promotion

and Transfers, Retirement, Maternity and Annual Leave,

Capacity Building-Study Leave and Other Courses)

The staff strength of the Commission at the end of the year stood at 1,477. The

breakdown was as follows: Headquarters (153), Ashanti Region (178), Brong

Ahafo Region (138), Central Region (137), Eastern Region (181), Greater Accra


51

Region (101), Northern Region (162), Upper East Region (89), Upper West Region

(77), Volta Region (140) and Western Region (121).

The number of staff who left the Commission by way of resignation, retirement,

vacation of post, dismissal and death stood at 58. A total of 76 new junior staff

appointments were made during the year.

1.3 Estate (Offices: Buildings and Physical Structures,

Equipment and Transport)

Offices: The Headquarters continues to face serious accommodation problem

as it operates from five rooms allocated to it in a two-storey block used by the

Electoral Commission. Though the Commission has procured a plot at South

Legon Development Area (popularly called Okponglo) to construct its own building,

the non-release of investment funds by the Ministry of Finance and Economic

Planning has made it impossible to realise that objective.

The problem of office accommodation is not limited to the headquarters but

extends to regional and district offices. The majority of regional offices continue

to occupy two or three rooms in the regional administration blocks. Many of the

district offices operate from the district assembly blocks. The conditions in some of

the offices are very deplorable. The Sissala West District located in a room within

the District Assembly Block which it shares with the Department of Community

Development. The Sawla-Tuna District Office of the Commission is located in a

one-room market stall. When the sun is high it is almost impossible to stay in the

room.

Transport: The Commission at the end of 2007 had 86 vehicles made up of Toyota

Landcruisers, Nissan Patrols and Nissan Pick-ups. Nine Mitsubishi Pick-ups were

purchased in 2008 bringing the total fleet of vehicles to 95. The Commission

needs more pick-ups for the over 90 districts which do not have any means of

mobility.

Equipment: With the exception of the regional offices which were supplied with

two computers each from the National Headquarters, some of which have broken

down most of the district offices rely on outmoded ’Olivetti’ manual typewriters

supplied to the offices when they were established in 1994.

1.4 Welfare Issues (Conditions of Service, Staff Welfare Scheme

and Staff Provident Fund)

Staff Welfare Scheme: The Commission continues to operate a Staff Welfare Fund

to which all officers contribute ten Ghana Cedis (GH¢10.00) per month.

Staff Provident Fund: The Commission also operates a Staff Provident Fund Scheme

to which every member of staff contributes a minimum of 10 per cent of his/her

salary. Contributions to the fund in 2008 stood at GH¢250,547.16. A total of 23

contributors to the fund retired in 2008 and a total sum of GH¢18,805.59 was

52


paid to them. Nine members of staff who resigned had GH¢5,058.46, whilst the

beneficiaries of seven contributors who died in 2008 had GH¢7,169.57. A total of

147 officers took loans totalling GH¢61,030.00.

1.5 Capacity Building for Staff

1.5.1 Study Leave

A total of 26 members of staff applied for study leave to pursue various courses

in higher institutions. Only 20 were deemed qualified and thus were granted the

opportunity to enhance their capacity.

1.5.2 Training Workshops

As a way of enhancing the efficient service delivery capacity of staff, various

workshops and training courses were organised.

1.5.2.1 The 59th Annual New Year School

The 59th Annual New Year School was held at the University of Ghana, Legon, from

January 2, 2008 to January 10, 2008 on the theme “Ghana at 50: Achievements,

Challenges and the Future”. Three officers of the Commission attended the school.

The Deputy Chairman (Programmes) of the NCCE, Mrs. Augustina Akosua

Akumanyi, was a panellist in a symposium “Deepening Democratic Culture in

Ghana that was held on January 9, 2008.

1.5.2.2 End of Year Review Conference

An End of Year Review Conference involving Commission Members, Commission

Secretary, Headquarters/Regional Directors and Deputy Directors took place at

the Holy Trinity SPA and Health Farm, Sogakope, from Friday, November 14,

2008 to Sunday, November 16, 2008.

Mr. Farhan Laary Bimi, the Chairman of the NCCE, opened the conference with

an address in which he pointed out that the Commission realised the need for

the NCCE to position itself to influence policies and make the needed impact as

well as play a central role in governance with the coming into power of the new

administration.

The meeting discussed three papers. The first on “Positioning the NCCE to be

Prominent in the Next Administration” was delivered by Mrs. Augustina Akosua

Akumanyi, Deputy Chairman (F&A) of the NCCE. The 30-page document in

summary exhorted the new President to make constitutionalism the bedrock of

his presidency, and to partner and give the NCCE the capacity to develop “civic

and democratic culture” in the citizens of Ghana.

The second paper on “Re-Tooling the Annual National Constitution Week

Celebrations” was presented on behalf of Mr. Baron Amoafo, Deputy Chairman

(Programmes) by Mrs. Gertrude Zakariah-Ali, Director of Research. The meeting


53

discussed several suggestions by the Committee and concluded that the important

factor in the celebration of the week, the commitment and dedication of officers in

ensuring that the week was a success.

The third paper on “Composite Guide for Civic Education in Ghana” was presented

by Mr. Kwame Opoku-Afriyie, Commission Member, who gave an overview of the

work of the Committee working on the Composite Guide for Civic Education in

Ghana. The book, he pointed out, advocated a new paradigm that sought to make

civic education vital for the achievement of the development goals of the country

by including in it the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS).

The fourth paper on “Five Year Strategic Plan for the NCCE (2009-2014)” was

delivered by Mr. Bennet Kpentey, the Chief Executive of Sync Consult. He led

the meeting through nine major targets of the plan, namely (i) strengthening

of organisational and human resource capacity, (ii) strengthening of corporate

governance, (iii) development of office infrastructure with emphasis on headquarters

building (Democracy House), (iv)improvement of service delivery, (v) improving the

corporate image of the Commission, (vi) strengthening of relationship with partner

organisations, (vii) Improving management of information system and knowledge

management, (viii) Improving resource availability to the Commission and (ix)

Improvement of Monitoring and Evaluation ( M&E). Nine broad strategies were

outlined for each of the targets.

As part of the conference, the afternoon of the second day was devoted to the

discussion of administrative issues.

It was agreed that regional directors improve on the rate of delivery of quarterly

reports to the headquarters. District offices which did not meet deadlines for

submission of reports were to be sanctioned. Management was tasked to be

proactive in seeking resources to support the Commission. Headquarters directors

were to embark on fundraising efforts.

A brief closing ceremony was addressed by the Chairman of the NCCE. He

challenged all directors to work hard to position the NCCE to influence the policies

of the new administration. The conference came to a close on Sunday, November

16, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

54


the working sessions at the Conference.

The Chairman of the NCCE addressing the End of Year Review

Conference held at Sogakope.

Some Directors taking a cruise on the Volta Lake in-between


55

Budget (GH¢) (GH¢)

Personnel Emoluments

Administration

Service

Investment

2,346,415

1,426,230

272,315

251,566

3,710,317.77

1,415,196.30

1,018,157.00

251,565.14

-1,363,902.77

11,033.70

-745,842.00

0.86

Total 4,044,960 6,143,671.07 (2,098,711.07)


Administration

Service

Investment

GH¢2,346,415

GH¢1,426,230

GH¢272,315

GH¢251,566

Total GH¢4,044,960


Sub-Consolidated

Car Loan Account

GAR Fund

GH¢1,345.92

GH¢3,836.54

GH¢1,858.76

Total GH¢7,041.22

B2 Finance

B2.1 Opening Balance

The bank balances as at January 1, 2008 were:

B2.2 Budget Estimates for 2008

The Government of Ghana (GoG) approved budget for the Commission for the

2008 Financial Year totalling GH¢4,044,960 was made of the following:

B2.3 Approved Budget and Releases

In the year under review a budget of GH¢4,044,960 was approved for the

Commission. At the end of the year, however, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning’s actual release came up to GH¢6,143,671.07 which gave us an increase of GH¢2,098,711.07.

The approved budget for the year and amount released by GoG for the same period

was as follows:

Item Approved Amount Released Variance (GH¢)

The above table shows an excess release of Personnel Emoluments and additional funds for Election 2008.

56


GH¢)


Administration

Service

Investment

Donor/Others

NGP (National

Governance Programme)

3,710,317.77

1,415,196.30

1,018,157.00

251,565.14

40,624

3,711,477.26

1,417,123.72

1,018,157.00

251,456.79

40,624

-1,159.49

-1,927.42

108.35

-

-

Total 6,184,295.07 6,187,381.98 (3,086.91)


Administration

Service

Car Loan

GH¢186.49

GH¢606.85

GH¢424.14

GH¢5,290.64

Total GH¢6,508.12

B2.4 Income and Expenditure for 2008

The income and expenditure during the year is based on Government of Ghana

funds and donor funds.

Item Income (GH¢) Expenditure Variance (GH¢)

The figures as presented shows an excess expenditure of GH¢3,086.91.

The excess expenditure was funded by opening balances.

B2.5 Closing Balances

The total Bank balance as at the close of December 31, 2008 stood at GH¢6,508.12

with details as follows:

The above balances of the Commission are kept at the Bank of Ghana.


57

Internal Audit Unit

The Internal Audit Unit of the Commission was established to undertake internal audit activities to enhance efficiency, accountability and transparency in the management of resources in the public sector. Its mission is to support management in the effective discharge of their responsibilities in ensuring that the Commission’s policies and statutory laws and regulations are followed.

The purpose of the Unit is to engage systematic methods for analyzing organizational

and financial problems and make recommendations for management. The scope

of the Unit involves internal control topics such as the efficacy of operations,

reliability of financial reporting, deterring and investigating fraud, safeguarding

assets, and compliance with laws and regulations.

Activities Undertaken

With the constraints of resources the following key activities were undertaken by

the Unit in 2008.

Assets Audit at the Headquarters: The unit conducted audit on the Fixed Asset Process in the Commission at the headquarters to address issues of inventory discrepancies and control weaknesses identified during the Unit’s previous year’s review of the Commission’s Asset Management Processes.

Audit Inspections in the Regions: The unit carried out countrywide audit inspection

on control procedures of the Commission to provide assurance to management that the internal controls are operating as intended. A compilation of comprehensive report on the nationwide audit inspection is still in progress.

Pre-auditing of Payment Vouchers: The Unit carried out pre-auditing of payment

vouchers of the Commission’s financial transactions to ensure that: (i) all transactions entered into by the Commission are prepared accurately, (ii) properly in accordance with budgetary provisions and the appropriate regulations and directives and (iii) authorized and approved by appropriate officials, and the authorised limits are not exceeded.

The Commission stands a high risk of material misstatement of transactions,

account balances or fraud where pre-auditing is not effectively carried out.

Observations

The following are some of the key issues identified during the 2008 audit and

inspection activities:

Updating of the Fixed Assets Register: Some Fixed Assets Register maintained by the Commission are not up to date. This makes monitoring ineffective and increases the risk of loss or theft.

Non-Embossed Assets: Some assets have not been embossed hence in the event of

loss, theft or unauthorized removal, there would be difficulty in identifying and/ or claiming ownership.

58


Vehicle Registration Documents not in the Commission’s Name: The vehicles and

motorbikes procured from Japan Motors Trading Company Limited, Toyota Ghana

Limited, and Winstep Company Limited to the tune of GH¢2,122,608.73 in 2006

have not been registered in the Commission’s name. This anomaly poses grave

legal threat should any legal action be brought against the Commission as to the

ownership of these vehicles and motor bikes.

Transfer of Ownership: Our audit showed that the Commission has not yet

transferred ownership of the vehicles it auctioned in November 2006 to the

successful buyers. The possibility of the vehicles being used to carry out illegal

activities and the consequences thereof cannot be overemphasized.

Management Meetings: The regional visits revealed that Regional Management

and District Directors meetings are held on adhoc bases and in an unstructured

manner. Minutes were hardly taken for such meetings.

Budget Committees: Though Budget Committees are expected to be set up as

stated in the Commission’s Standard Accounting Manual, to oversee the internal

implementation and monitoring of their respective budgets, they were found in

many districts to exist only in name.

Financial Reporting: The inspection revealed that the regions do not submit

financial returns regularly to headquarters, and checks at the finance department

did not show any seriousness towards financial returns from the regions. A

concerted effort therefore needs to be made to ensure that issues about financial

accountability at all levels of the Commission are taking seriously.

Usage of Value Books: It was observed that some books are not in use at the

regional level these include Store Receive Advice (SRA), Store Issue Voucher (SIV),

Local Purchase Order (LPO) and Activity and Expenditure Initiation Book (A&EIB).

Compliance with Procurement Act (Act 663): The Unit observed that the commission

did not follow a procurement plan and procurement schedules during the year

under review.

Release of Subventions to Districts: It was observed that the Commission’s policy

on release of subvention from the regional offices to the districts (70 per cent)

for the districts and (30 per cent) for the regional office is flouted with impunity.

The Regional Directors use their own description to determine when and how

much should be sent to the districts. It is recommended that the subventions from

the regions to the districts should be decentralized as required by the Ministry

of Finance and Economic Planning directive, where the various district offices

should access their subventions directly from Controller and Accountant Generals

Department.

Key Challenges

The capacity of the Unit needs to be built through logistical support, including a

motorbike per region, communication facilities such as scanner, photocopier for

headquarters and desktop computer and accessories for the regions and training

for staff.


59

The unit needs to be made a cost centre with a budget line to enhance the

functioning and implementation of the unit’s audit plans and programmes.

An Internal Audit Charter which should be set up to oversee the broad policy of

Internal Auditing of the NCCE with respect to the objectives, structure, authority

and the responsibilities of management, the Internal Audit Unit as well as other

Divisions/Directorates in respect of Internal Auditing in the NCCE.

With the needed support the unit would continue to assist management to seek

appropriate and effective ways for achieving the overall organizational goals.

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SECTION C

_______________________________________

Conclusion and Recommendations

C1 Conclusion

The year 2008 would be remembered in the annals of the history of this country

as one that the country came to the precipice in its democratic road and survived.

Out of the 16 registered political parties, ten, namely NPP, NDC, CPP, PNC, DPP,

RPD, NVP, GCPP and GNP went into the contest for presidential and parliamentary

positions on December 9, 2008. None of them secured enough votes to clinch the

presidential seat, hence the country had to go for a re-run on December 28, 2008.

Then also there was no decider. It was left to the results of one Constituency, Tain,

with 40,072 registered voters, to decide for the country.

That the stakes were high for the elections was due to a number of factors, including

the fact that while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) wanted to suceed itself after

running the country for eight years under President J.A. Kufour, the National

Democratic Congress (NDC) was very determined to come back into power after

eight years in the opposition.

An added factor was the deepening of internal democracy within the political

parties where primaries for selection of presidential and parliamentary candidates

were keenly contested; a great departure from the practice where sole candidates

were endorsed by parties for elections.

The approach of the NCCE to the presidential and parliamentary elections was to

ensure that the sovereign will of the people was upheld. The numerous educational

activities undertaken nationwide were to make the citizenry well informed to

participate in the electoral system.

The mission statement of the Commission states that “A constitutional body

mandated to create, sustain and increase awareness of constitutional democracy

among Ghanaians for the achievement of political and social stability for an

equitable economic growth, and integrated development through civic education,

by observing the principles of impartiality and non-partisanship using a well-

trained and motivated workforce.”.


61

The mission statement was the guiding principle and focus of the Commission

throughout the public educational campaign towards the 2008 elections.

The Commission in its efforts came across a number of issues that the country as

a whole must deal with for a successful, free and fair future elections.

1. The voter turn-out at the national level for the 2008 elections was 69 per

cent, significantly lower than the 2004 turnout of about 85 per cent. With

the 15 per cent difference, in the midst of the high turnout witnessed at

various voting centres across the country, it raises the issue of a bloated

register.

2. The high rate of rejected or invalid votes, put at 2.4 per cent of the total

votes cast.

3. The impunity displayed by some party functionaries in strongholds of

political parties.

4. The near-confusion in some places over counting and collation of ballots.

C2 Recommendations

1. The Electoral Commission needs to put in place a mechanism to prevent

multiple registration of voters in order to reduce the number of registered

voters.

2. The 2.4 per cent of the total votes cast being declared rejected or invalid

raises concerns as it undermines the franchise, as persons who have

queued for hours have their votes not being counted. All democrats must

be interested in ths obvious disenfranchisement. The Electoral Commission

should be prevailed upon to allow all the rejected ballots in its custody to

be scientifically analysed. A cure for this type of voter deficiency syndrome

can only be found if the causes are known. Definitely we should be targeting

a drastic drop in rejected ballots in the next round of presidential and

parliamentary voting in December 2012.

3. The many transfers and proxy voting need to be checked as it has the

potential of escalating conflicts at polling stations. It was noted that the

transfer list was not made available before the beginning of the polls, and

even at some of the polling centres, the list were handwritten which raised

a lot of suspicion, especially from the party agents who were not operating

within their party’s stronghold. Every step must be taken to ensure that the

transfer list is not manipulated to their advantage.

4. The current voting period is from 7.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. By the time of

collation of ballots cast darkness sets in, consequently counting of ballot

papers takes place in the dark. The Commission suggests that the Electoral

Commission should amend the polling period to 6.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. It is

our belief that the incidence of threats to peace due to problems created by

the counting and collation of election results in the night may be avoided.

62