US Government Monitoring Ghana On Voter Register Rumpus - Robert Porter Jackson

US Ambassador-designate to Ghana Robert Porter Jackson

Speaking to journalists at the ongoing Edward Murrow Journalists Program in Washington DC, US Ambassador-designate to Ghana Robert Porter Jackson lauded the Electoral Commission for setting up a committee to look into allegations of a bloated register and says it is concerned about developments
in Ghana and is monitoring the situation closely . “We will work with the government, the parties and civil societies to reach an agreement on the way ahead, and once I get on the ground I will meet the leaders of the political parties and the Electoral Commission,” Mr. Jackson said. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) say there is evidence of registration of minors and foreigners in the current roll.

Dr. Muhamudu Bawumia, the NPP Presidential Candidate, kickstarted the claim of a bloated electoral register early this year, but the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) think the claim have no basis. The US government also asked African journalists to play an active role in the about 20 elections to be held on the continent next year. Ambassador Jackson says the US government will monitor all the elections very closely. “We are advocating a free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful elections and elections that is on time. But elections alone do not make for stable democracies. Free and fair elections must be coupled with transparent, an accountable governance, respect for human rights and strong civil society,” said Mr. Jackson.