[ 2015-04-23 ]

EC boss race: Emmanuel Akwetey flaunts credentials
The Executive Director of the Institute of
Democratic Governance has defended his public
service credentials as media reports tip him to
become the next chairman of the Electoral
Commission.

Dr. Afari Gyan retires in June this year and a
search for his replacement is currently ongoing.

Media reports suggest Dr. Akwetey is among some
five individuals shortlisted for the post.

But in a statement, Dr. Akwetey said although he
has contributed immensely towards the country’s
electoral process, he has never served as a senior
aide to any president or vice president.

Below is the full statement by Dr. Emmanuel
Akwetey

My attention has been drawn to a story captioned
‘Race for the EC Job - 5 Shortlisted’ on the
front page of the Daily Guide of Wednesday, April
22, 2015. I write to correct the factual errors
relating to my record of public service to God and
country in the said story. When rumours and
speculation started last year that I might be
selected to fill a vacant post of Chairman of the
Electoral Commission (EC), I refrained from
commenting on my interest in the matter. I have
consistently stuck to that line of action
believing that it is the proper thing to do.

Unfortunately, I am compelled to comment now
because of the inaccurate record of my public
service published in the media. I wish to state
categorically that I have never worked as a senior
aide to any President or Vice President of Ghana.
This fact is verifiable in all public records in
the country including the media.

On the contrary, I have been deeply involved in
public service, demonstrating commitment to
advancing the national interest at all times in a
non-partisan, impartial, honest and consistent
manner. I have worked primarily in civil society
and from that location, actively and effectively
engaged political leaders, public servants,
business leaders, eminent chiefs, diplomats, heads
of multilateral and bilateral development
organizations at national, regional and global
levels on issues of electoral reforms, democracy
and good governance and inclusive development and
nation-building. The details are public knowledge
and well publicized.

However, in the context of the current discussion,
I wish to stress that my roles in IDEG and the CFI
in the 2008 and 2012 elections have been widely
acclaimed, including, but not limited to providing
technical advice and public outreach support to
the Electoral Commission, the Judiciary, the
National Peace Council, the National House of
Chiefs, Manhyia Palace, the security agencies,
political parties and bilateral and multilateral
partners, all of which are actively supporting the
electoral and democratic development processes in
Ghana.

Our work in Ghana has been innovative and has
successfully inspired civic and state actors
interventions in difficult elections in several
African countries including Nigeria, Liberia,
Senegal, and Kenya.

Presently, Institute for Democratic Governance
(IDEG) and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI)
continue to be involved in multi-actor dialogue
about constitutional and electoral reform in
furtherance of peace, stability, national cohesion
and inclusive development not only in Ghana but
also in Africa.

Source - Starrfmonline

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