A political analyst and Political Science lecturer at Ghana’s premier university, the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah Asante has questioned the importance of the Eminent Advisory Committee set up by the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.
According to him the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) is already performing the function the Eminent Committee was set up fo,r and the formation of the latter is just a duplication of duties and a strain on national coffers.
Speaking in a phone interview on Happy98.9FM’s Happy Morning Show, Dr. Ansah said, “There were a lot of resistance to the formation of the Eminent Advisory Committee not long ago. I for one did not agree with its formation because of the existence of IPAC. IPAC is already giving the advice the Eminent Advisory Committee will give so what is new for the Eminent Committee to do? He queried.”
He furthered that, the EC was already not listening to the advice of the newly set up Eminent Committee and IPAC which they (EC) formed which was a bad thing. The analyst advised the EC to open itself up for dialogue.
Concept of IPAC
According to Electoral Commission (EC) information, the concept of IPAC was conceived by the Commission based on experiences gained from the 1992 general elections. The EC came under intense criticism, especially from political parties in opposition, ranging from the electoral process or the conduct of the polls through to suspicion. IPAC was, therefore, formed in March 1994 to bring together representatives of the political parties on a monthly basis with members of the EC to discuss and try to build a consensus on electoral issues.
IPAC was created to offer a two-way communication channel of information collection from the political parties and also discuss all aspects of activities and programmes, elicit inputs and explain important and relevant matters where possible.
IPAC is an advisory committee hence; comments, contributions and inputs are not binding but may be taken into consideration with the view of reaching a consensus. There are no formalized rules or procedures.
However, IPAC is not open to the general public or the media.
Eminent Advisory Committee
The Electoral Commission (EC) in December 2019 launched a 21-member Eminent Advisory Committee to enhance engagement and interactions between it and the public as Ghana prepares for the 2020 parliamentary and presidential elections.
The committee, chaired by a former Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Emile Short, is part of the EC’s new approach of maintaining an open door that invites and responds to the concerns and interests of the citizenry.
Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa in outdooring the committee said the major rationale for its establishment was to demystify the Commission and prove its independence. The committee, she stated will serve as a window between the Commission and the public, stating that while the committee will serve to inform the public on the workings of the Commission, the committee members will also serve to pass on concerns from various members of the public to the Commission.
By: Joel Sanco