The Election Commission (EC) has been advised by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to neither cower in fear or submit when its rulings are questioned.
Instead, he argued, it should allow the evaluation of its choices and Ghanaians' expectations propel it to new heights and, most importantly, fight to uphold the people's will.
With reference to Article 46 of the Constitution, he stated that the EC would not be subject to the direction or control of any individual or body in carrying out its duties. Instead, it would only answer to the Ghanaian people, the Republic's Constitution, and its own conscience.
The decision was taken by President Akufo-Addo last Monday when he swore in three new members of the EC during a ceremony at the Jubilee House in Accra.
Salima Ahmed Tijani, Dr. Peter Appiahene, and Rev. Akua Ofori-Boateng are the three.
He gave each of the three the instrument of office and administered the oaths of office and confidentiality as well as the formal oath.
The oath book was signed by the three people in turn, and then it was also signed by the president.
More than ever, according to President Akufo-Addo, every choice the EC made would be closely examined.
But, he said, "it should not terrify you; in fact, let no one try to cow you into submission." He added that the commission was expected to uphold its constitutional role.
According to him, the commission's members' qualifications would give Ghanaians confidence that the democratic form of government they had selected would be adequately fostered by an election process that would make it possible for their opinions to be clearly and forcefully heard.
Secret
The President mentioned how he had always battled for and pushed for a genuine electoral process in the nation. He had spent the most of his adult life battling for the creation of democracy and human rights in the country.
He emphasised that the holy, God-granted right of the populace to cast their vote should never be more essential than the counting, collation, and pronouncement of election results.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again: elections are about the people who vote, not the people who count the ballots, monitor the election, broadcast the results, or make the declarations.
Giving effect to the decisions made by individuals who vote is at the core of democracy, he claimed.
The three new members of the EC, according to President Akufo-Addo, excelled in their fields of expertise and had the necessary experience to deliver and live up to the high expectations of Ghanaians.
He expressed faith in their capacity to carry out their responsibilities with honesty, professionalism, independence, and fairness of judgement.
He said there would be no honeymoon period or opportunity for them to get used to their new responsibilities because they were being sworn in 21 months before elections.
Yet he said that he had faith in their capacity to overcome the obstacles in their path.
Assurance
Dr. Appiahene thanked the President for having faith in the trio on behalf of the group.
He assured them that they would act in the best interests of Ghanaians and in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.
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