Martin Kpebu, a well-known private legal practitioner in Ghana, has shared strong opinions about the government’s decision to close land borders during elections. According to him, this policy is outdated and unnecessary in today’s Ghana. He believes that the country's democratic system has improved significantly, and the fear of foreigners crossing the border to vote in Ghana's elections should no longer be an issue.
Martin Kpebu's argument is rooted in the belief that Ghana has come a long way in building a strong democracy. He notes that the systems in place today are far more robust and can easily prevent any unlawful participation in elections. To him, closing land borders in the name of securing elections is a practice that belongs in the past and has no place in a modern, forward-thinking democracy like Ghana’s.
He points to the fact that election monitoring in Ghana is now highly effective. Each polling station is equipped with representatives from political parties, such as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). These party agents, along with officials and police officers, are tasked with ensuring that only registered voters participate. Martin Kpebu questions how an unregistered foreigner could manage to bypass these layers of security and cast a vote.
He explains that back in the day, there might have been reasons to worry about such issues because the systems were not as strict as they are now. However, he believes Ghana has made significant progress over the past 20 years. Today, there is no excuse for such drastic measures like border closures. Instead, the focus should be on strengthening existing systems to maintain electoral integrity.
To support his stance, Kpebu aligned his views with those of Kwesi Pratt, a veteran journalist in Ghana who has also criticized border closures. Both men argue that Ghana has grown past the era of fearing that foreigners will flood the country during elections to vote illegally. The systems in place, they say, are sufficient to prevent any such occurrences.
Kpebu highlighted the case of Aflao, a border town in the Volta Region of Ghana, as an example. He mentioned that the NPP has a pattern of closing this border whenever they are in power, claiming it is a measure to stop foreigners from entering Ghana to vote. However, he believes this justification is outdated and does not reflect the progress Ghana has made in securing its democratic processes.
“Those days are gone,” Kpebu said, “20 years ago, we had a different situation. But now, vigilance is higher, and we have systems in place to ensure that no one can cheat the system. A person whose name is not in the voter register cannot vote. The party representatives and police officers at the polling stations are there to ensure this.”
Martin Kpebu also emphasized the importance of trusting the current electoral system and moving away from policies that seem unnecessary or even counterproductive. He believes that rather than focusing on border closures, Ghana should invest in strengthening its institutions and ensuring that election processes are transparent and fair.
The closure of land borders during elections has long been a controversial topic in Ghana. Many people see it as a way of safeguarding the electoral process, but critics like Kpebu argue that it does more harm than good. For example, border closures affect the movement of people and goods, causing inconvenience to many Ghanaians, especially those living near border areas who rely on cross-border trade for their livelihoods.
By closing the borders, the government also risks creating unnecessary tension among its citizens. It may send a message that the government lacks confidence in its own electoral system, which could undermine public trust. Kpebu insists that the focus should be on educating citizens, strengthening security, and building trust in the voting process rather than resorting to measures that disrupt daily life and hurt businesses.
For Kpebu, this issue is not just about the elections; it’s about how Ghana chooses to handle challenges in a modern and democratic society. He believes that the country must rise above outdated practices and embrace solutions that reflect its progress and growth.
In conclusion, Martin Kpebu’s argument is clear: Ghana does not need to close its land borders during elections anymore. The systems in place are strong enough to prevent any unlawful voting, and it’s time for the country to move on from policies that no longer make sense. Instead, Ghana should focus on building a future where its democracy continues to thrive without the need for unnecessary disruptions.
The question Kpebu raises is one that all Ghanaians must consider: Are we still holding on to old fears that no longer reflect the reality of our progress? If the answer is no, then it’s time to rethink policies like land border closures and embrace solutions that truly reflect the strength of Ghana’s democracy today.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0