ELECTION PETITION SUIT: Did Afari Gyan Mislead Court?

Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana on Thursday told the Supreme Court sitting on the Presidential Election Petition that he cannot explain the phenomenon of three or sometimes four polling stations having the same pink sheet serial number..., ...an answer which prompted the suggestion from lead counsel of the petitioners, Philip Addison that the Electoral Commission boss had misled the court since he had earlier in the trial stated that the EC printed only two sets of pink sheets. On commencement of the hearings on Thursday, Counsel Philip Addison confronted Dr. Afari Gyan with five sets of pink sheets. Three of the sets each had three different polling station pink sheets with the same serial number while two of the sets had four polling station pink sheets with the same serial number. Dr. Afari Gyan, after identifying the various sets and agreeing that they all had the same serial number, was asked to explain how that occurred as he had earlier tried to justify the occurrence of same serial numbers for two polling stations by informing the court that that phenomenon was due to the printing of two sets of pink sheets with the same serial numbers. Dr. Afari Gyan in answering to the newly revealed triplicates and quadruplicates stated that logically that should not have occurred and that he cannot explain why it happened. Counsel Philip Addison then informed the witness that on the basis of the available evidence as he had been confronted with, it was obvious that the EC printed at least four sets of pink sheets and that the EC boss misled the court when he stated the printing of two sets of pink sheets as the justification for the occurrence of the duplicate serial numbers. The occurrence of duplicate serial numbers, according to the petitioners, brings the integrity of the electoral process into question at polling stations where these duplicates occurred since generally, each polling station should have a pink sheet bearing a unique serial number, something Dr. Afari Gyan himself agreed should have happened had the EC not printed more sets of pink sheets. The petitioners in the ongoing petition have identified the occurrence of same serial numbers for different polling station pink sheets as one of the major irregularities to have affected the December 7th polls. According to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during his evidence in chief and subsequent cross examination, the occurrence of same serial numbers seem to have been the main vehicle for which all the other statutory and constitutional violations occurred noting the close relationship between the occurrence of same serial numbers and other irregularities such as over voting, voting without biometric verification and no signature of presiding officers. Dr. Bawumia stated during his time in the witness box that duplicate serial numbers accounted for 75% of all polling stations affected by over voting while 77% of all polling stations where voting without biometric verification took place were also affected by duplicate polling stations. Again, he stated that 75% of all pink sheets without the signature of the presiding officers were incidentally pink sheets with duplicate serial numbers. However, though the Electoral Commission earlier denied wholesale the occurrence of all the irregularities including the occurrence of duplicate serial numbers, it later amended its answer to say that the occurrence of the same serial numbers was because the Electoral Commission printed two sets of pink sheets. This explanation was brazenly defended by Dr. Afari Gyan in the witness box even though he had earlier, in his evidence in chief, even stated that he did not know what the petitioners called serial numbers and that the numbers were embossed on the sheets by the printers without the consent of the EC. While being cross examined by Counsel Philip Addison however, Dr. Afari Gyan shifted position several times on the matter. He stated at the onset that the serial numbers were embossed by the printers to check how many sheets had been printed and that the numbers were not important. He eventually agreed that the numbers were requested by the EC but moved on to say that the pink sheets were not sensitive materials. At a later stage however, Dr. Afari Gyan stated that the EC printed two sets of pink sheets because it did not know the number of presidential aspirants for the December 7th elections when printing started. However, the petitioners exposed this explanation as not being true since the pink sheets came with the exact list of the candidates for December Presidential elections in the order they appeared on the ballot paper which was determined after filing and subsequent balloting by the candidates. The revelation of triplicates and quadruplicates further casts doubts the EC’s explanations to the phenomenon. The first set of triplicate serial numbered pink sheets included Chief Bello Islamic School Zenu A polling station with polling station code C141004A, Apostolic Revelation Kakasunanka Number 1 A with polling station code C141102A and Baptist Church Adigon with polling station code C140602 all sharing the same serial number 025195. The second set had DC JHS Pampramase Polling station with code A251103, DC Primary School Adeinkyee with polling station code A250908 and PBC Cocoa Shed Ntensere with polling station code A250908 all sharing the same serial number 018 708 while the third set had – Gurungu JHS Polling station with code K021302, Adelakope Somanya Polling station with code E041302 and Temporary Booth Tawonchele with code K021401. The first set of quadruplicate serial numbered pink sheets includes – Onyai-shi Polling station with code C140701, Katamansu Presbyterian Primary A with polling station code C140601A, Assembly of God Church, Ataa Saki B Polling station with code C141401B and Finger of God Church with code C140802 all sharing the same serial number 0025200. The second set of quadruplicates includes Michel Camp JHS B with polling station code C141105B, Methodist Church Zenu B with code C140904B, Garrison Primary School Michel Camp No. 1 with polling station code C141104 and St. John Bosco Catholic with code C141403B all sharing the serial number 0025194.     Source: Communications Directorate, NPP/Ghana

90 police recruits use workshop as residence

 

The Central Region Police Command is currently housing about 90 of its newly recruited personnel in the workshop of the Service due to lack of accommodation.

This has come about because accommodation projects for Police personnel and new recruits for the region have stalled.

The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ransford Moses Ninson, said he is grateful to government for recruiting large numbers of police personnel to close up the deficit in the police-citizen ratio, but added that the corresponding facilities and equipment must be made available to aid their work.

The Commander was speaking during a meeting between heads of security in the Central Region and the Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong.

DCOP Ninson also appealed to government to urgently renovate all existing police stations and barracks which he said are in a deplorable state in the Region, and asked government to help with completion of all stalled accommodation projects.
  
Source:GNA/Published On: July 12, 2013, 08:58 GMT

Addison accuses E.C of using different polling station names but same code

 

Lead counsel for the Petitioners Philip Addison has claimed different polling station names but same code were used to perpetuate fraud in the last elections.
 He made this claim on Day 43 of the hearing of the Election Petition at the Supreme Court on Thursday.

The explanation by the Electoral Commissioner has been that if a polling station was too huge, it was divided into two and named A and B. In court Thursday, Dr. Afar-Gyan again said a large polling station could be divided and given entirely different names.

Philip Addison, presented several pink sheets with different polling station names but sharing the same polling station code.

An example was two polling stations – Adda Primary School and Dalodia JHS B but with the same polling station code J031203.

On a particular polling station the star witness for the Electoral Commission confirmed another occurrence of this 'irregularity' on the face of the pink sheet.

But the E.C explained, he believed that it should have been named A and B despite the two entirely different names on the face of the pink sheet.

He explained that where a polling station was oversubscribed, it was split into two and the other located a little distance from the original polling station.

He said the Electoral Commission had no duplicate polling stations on its official list. 

 Source:Myjoyonline|Edwin Appiah

WEEK TEN

WEEK TEN

OVERALL IMPRESSION OF COURSE:

I habour no fear or whatsoever in recommending that additional instructional hours should be added to that allocated for PUBLICITY METHODS. I wish it is studied for the next three semesters with MICHELLE NEWLANDS maintained as the course instructor. The humility of Michelle made me feel at home to bring out my experience on topics discussed in class. As a broadcast journalist, I had some knowledge of some of the topics studied but other lectures would hardly allow you to voice out what you know, what Michelle will rarely do. This side of the instructor embraced all my colleagues to rush to catch Michelle’s lecture. Evident of this was shown when management took decision to replace Michelle, even though we had met once, the class stood up to reverse the decision. For three weeks after our first lecture, we rejected every lecture and insisted on Michelle.

This was not because she had encourage us to do so but like my other colleagues, the instructor made an excellent first time impression. I do not know who will handle the next class after ours but I feel they will loose a great deal if they are not under the instructions of Michelle.

Unlike other courses that were too abstract, PUBLICITY METHODS was so real. Individuals in the field shared experiences and taught others who were not yet employed how to work things out especially in the area of partnership.

MY PASSIONATE APPEAL:

Please Michelle Newlands, come back to Ghana and AUCC for that matter even if it will call for you coming on your own. I have gained a lot under your tuturage and will want students after me to also enjoy your sense of humanity. I know you will ever be ready to provide me with the necessary academic assistance whenever I fall on you. May the good Lord lead and protect you in all that you persue in life.

WEEK NINE

WEEK NINE

Progress of Campaign:

Details of work done on members’ campaign were brought to the house, where to need be, and alterations were made. As usual, suggestions were offered especially in the area of partnership and sponsorship. Where members had considered going solo, the discussions made it wise for them to go for sponsorship and or partnership.

Apart from that, most groups presented a written report of work done so far. In the case of my group everything needed for the campaign (the message, structure, drama, poem and a flyer) was presented, the only thing needed was permission from the headmistress of AMUSUDAI JHS to give us the green light to demonstrate to the students (THE NEED TO KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN) Copy of this outline was given to the course instructor Michelle Newlands.

WHAT I FOUND MOST INTERESTING IN THE LECTURE:

The sense of purpose and togetherness in the class. As groups present details of works, other students were so concerned that they offered suggestions that enhanced progress of work.

WHY I FIND THAT THE MOST INTERESTING:

Humans live in communities and in societies and cannot claim to live in isolation. This confirms the idea of being concerned about one another. I have earlier said that without passion for fellow humans, one is not likely to succeed in the field of endeavor. Paying attention not one another means me are living as a block and not single units.

HOW I WILL USE THAT IN DEV COM:

Development communications’ main point is to build consensus in other to operate together. When people are limited, they can easily come together to achieve a purpose. This idea forms the basis of empowerment collaboration, participation which ensures sustainability of projects, points I will use throughout my career.

WEEK EIGHT

WEEK EIGHT                      

INTRODUCTION TO YOUR CAMPAIGN:

Having been asked to think of a campaign to be embarked upon fortnight ago, to create the comparison in a group, individually or partner an organization or an individual to execute this task. The option to chose was left in the hands of the students and were asked to Present what they have decided or in the class.
With the help of the instructor, Michelle Newlands, campaigns chosen were fine-tuned and the green light given to commence work.
For instance, my group (Frederick, Florence and Gloria) presented “hand washing campaign” but it was reviewed to focus on “THE NEED TO KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN” courtesy Michelle Newlands our able instructor. Other groups presented their works and were reviewed or approved accordingly.

WHAT I FOUND MOST INTERESTING IN THE LECTURE

On the day, after the introduction of an intended campaign, the class was asked to make input into the proposed project by a group or an individual. The inputs were appropriately considered before finally approving of how the campaign should go (the format)

WHY I FIND IT TO BE MOST INTERESTING

There is a Popular Ghanaian adage that says “when you remove a stick of broom, it is easily broken  but when you take the bunch of the broom, it is very difficult to break”. This adage underlies the strength derived from being united (united we stand, divided we fall). After the review of various works, an agreement was reached as to how each campaign should look like. I realized that no matter how careful you have selected a topic, something needs to be added up that is why we need to consult.

HOW I WILL APPLY THAT IN DEV. COM

Even the instructor, Michelle who has vast experience in the field of Publicity welcomed suggestions from the class. That has motivated me a lot and WILL be a permanent part of my initiatives. Consultation is the key for success.

WEEK SEVEN

WEEK SEVEN 

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES:

Today’s lecture allowed students to compare Publicity methods of organizations and individuals they have selected on their own for the past week.
Students worked as individuals whiles others worked in group, compared the compaigns they have selected and why they deem them effective or not.
They supported their claims with pictures or otherwise except where the Comparative Studies were made out of adverts aired on television or on radio.

WHAT I FOUND MOST INTERESTING IN THE LECTURES

There were Publicity materials that showed how different organizations brand themselves which were simple and unique and easy to remember. The interesting one was one from Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) that portrays the network as reliable and efficient. It has as its catch word “MTN, EVERYWHERE YOU GO” depicting that wherever you go, MTN service is readily available for your use

WHY I FIND THIS TO BE MOST INTERESTING:

Most of the Pictures presented by my colleagues are Pictures I have seen before so were the adverts but I had not get the messages behind them until they were explained by my colleagues. I learnt the analytical part of adverts and how to get the import of the message.

HOW I WILL APPLY THAT IN DEV COM

The knowledge I got here will help me to analyze different Publicity methods, know why it is effective or not so that in embarking on a campaign, I will know what to include and what to avoid.