Minister warns against double registration during biometric exercise
Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, on Tuesday warned against double registration during the biometric voter’s registration exercise, saying perpetrators should be prepared to face the full rigours of the law.
Addressing the chiefs and people of Jema, Tuobodom and Portor at separate public interactions, the regional minister explained that the biometric system could detect and expose all who would register twice.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has set March 24, for the commencement of the registration exercise.
Mr Nyamekye Marfo stressed that double registration is an electoral offence hence the need to punish those who flout the law.
He explained that eligible voters who refused to register during the exercise would not be allowed to vote in the December elections since the old voters’ registration card would not be valid for voting.
The Regional Minister observed that though education on the biometric registration had not gone down well with the citizenry, there is the need for the full participation by all who have attained 18 years and above to enable them to exercise their franchise as a civic responsibility.
Mr Nyamekye Marfo cautioned the public about the registration of minors and advised those who had not attained 18 years to avoid putting themselves into trouble.
Since peace is a pre-requisite for national development, there is the need for all political parties to ensure that their members and supporters conduct their campaigns in a decorous manner, he said.
Mr Nyamekye Marfo observed that inflaming passions during the campaigns would cause violence and advised Ghanaians to cherish and help preserve the country’s prevailing peace and tranquility for accelerated national development.
Touching on the achievements made in the region under the “Better Ghana Agenda” of the government, he said GH¢124.4 million had so far been spent on road construction.
He said 216 communities in the region had been connected to the national electricity grid while 500 additional communities would enjoy the service by the end of the year.
Mr Nyamekye Marfo said a number of educational and health projects had also been undertaken.
He called on Ghanaians to renew the mandate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in December, indicating: “Ghanaians will see physical monies in their pocket in 2013.”
At Tuobodom in Techiman Municipality, Mr Alex Kyeremeh, Municipal Chief Executive, said the “Better Ghana Agenda” is still on course in the area.
He called on the people to appreciate the number of projects undertaken by the government by retaining the NDC in the December elections.
Mr Kyeremeh said plans are far advanced for the establishment of a satellite campus of the University of Education in the municipality.
Barima Obeng Ameyaw II, Chief of Tuobodom and Akyempemhene of Techiman Traditional Area, who presided over the function, said the poor nature of roads in the area is a great worry to the people and appealed to the government to come to their aid.
He called on the government to provide Tuobodom Senor High School with a bus to ease the transportation difficulties the academic facility faced.
At Jema, Mr Kwadwo Nyame Bosomfour Datiakwa, Kintampo South District Chief Executive, said road network, educational and health facilities had improved in the area whilst a number of schools are enjoying the School Feeding Programme.
He said so far 50 projects had been executed within the three -year period of the NDC and expressed optimism that if the party’s mandate is renewed the district would benefit from massive infrastructural development.
Source: GNA