A Development Economist at the University of Development Studies (UDS), Dr Michael Ayamga has urged Ghanaians to view the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other parties' call for a forensic audit of the voter's register as crucial for the nation's democratic integrity.
According to him, the forensic audit of the voter's register will ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair.
Speaking on JoyNews AM Show on Friday, September 20, he said, “If we have to audit the voter's register three times to ensure that we have these elections and come out as one nation, then we ought to do it.”
According to Dr Ayamga, if the actors of democracy fail, it will affect everyone as well as the nation.
“So it is not about NDC or NPP but working collectively to ensure that people who are thinking otherwise, people who want to use the current mistrust in the current EC and any potential skirmishes that are associated with it to cause mayhem and to subvert our democracy, we have to do everything in our power not to give them that opportunity.”
“We see the rise of military regimes and these things are popular among the youth. If we talk to young people in this country, you see them admiring and hailing military leaders in some countries,” he said.
Dr Ayamga stated that if the EC does not conduct the forensic audit, it may be perceived as favouring the NPP.
“The EC is caught between a rock and a hard place. I think that in its own interest, it is not a matter of NPP or NDC, it’s a matter of what the people of Ghana want and if the EC is observing what is happening in the country, it will do everything in its power to ensure that when we are voting, we are sure that the process is credible.”
“For that matter, I expect them to yield to the demands of the NDC because they are largely harmless. It will make us have confidence in the electoral process,” he said.
Credit: Emmanuella Sarfo-Ntow