The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged political parties to bridge their mistrust of the Electoral Commission and work collaboratively to ensure the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process. His call comes amid growing concerns about the credibility of the Electoral Commission and the need for heightened vigilance from political parties.
Addressing members of the Ghana Bar Association during a dinner at the Manhyia Palace, held alongside the Association’s Annual General Conference, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II emphasized the importance of restoring mutual trust between the Electoral Commission and the political parties and candidates. He highlighted the critical role this trust plays in maintaining the democratic values of Ghana.
The Asantehene acknowledged the necessity of vigilance but stressed that the political landscape should not be dominated by suspicion. “I remain pretty sanguine about the outcome for two main reasons,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said. He reflected on Ghana’s journey as a nation, noting that the country has experimented with various governance systems over its first quarter-century. “In our first quarter of a century of existence as an independent nation, we have tried almost every system of governance conceived by man,” he noted.
He pointed out that Ghana has experienced one-party rule, military regimes, and democracy, where citizens have the power to elect their government through voting. Despite any criticisms of the people or the process, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed confidence that Ghanaians will not relinquish their hard-won freedom and democratic rights for any other system. “However discreditable one may think of the people, I can see no circumstances in which Ghanaians will sacrifice the freedom of today, the prospect of changing their government by power of their thumb, for any other alternative,” he said.
The Asantehene also addressed the resilience of Ghana’s electoral system. He acknowledged that while there may be distractions and criticisms of those managing the electoral process, the system has historically produced outcomes that reflect the voice of the people. “Secondly, however one may distract the individuals in charge of the electoral process at any given time, it has been demonstrated that changes will occur in spite of the individual operatives. The evidence of our history is that the system does produce the outcome that reflects the voice of the people,” he stated.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process and called for a reduction in mistrust between the Electoral Commission and political parties. “So here again, I will appeal for a lowering of mistrust. Heightened vigilance is of course necessary, but we need to restore confidence between contesting political parties and candidates in the Electoral Commission,” he urged.
The Asantehene’s remarks come at a crucial time as Ghana prepares for future elections. His call for unity and confidence is aimed at fostering a more collaborative environment where all stakeholders can work together to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s emphasis on peace and democratic values serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining stability and trust in the electoral system, essential for upholding Ghana’s democratic principles.
As the nation moves forward, the Asantehene’s appeal highlights the need for all political actors to engage in constructive dialogue and mutual respect. By working together and focusing on the integrity of the electoral process, Ghana can continue to strengthen its democratic institutions and ensure that the voice of its people is accurately reflected in the outcomes of its elections.
