‘Withhold visa for politicians till elections’ - Rev. Nash

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Leadership Awards, Reverend Professor Emmanuel Yao Nash has once again called on embassies in the country to stop issuing visas to politicians until the December 7 polls are conducted.

He said this would ensure that politicians did not engage in acts that could plunge the country into violence.

“When politicians know that they cannot leave the country at any point in time during this election period, they will be decent in whatever they do or say,” he noted.

Rev. Nash was speaking during the 2020 Ghana Leadership Awards organised in Accra on Saturday, October, 17 to honour individuals and organisations that have made outstanding differences in the society.

 Municipal Chief Executive, Ga East Municipal Assembly displaying her awards at the event

The event was on the theme “Celebrating our heroes in a peaceful Ghana, one people working together”, and was attended by government officials, traditional leaders, security personnel, and other important personalities.

The awards is to recognise leaders for their exemplary contributions towards Ghana and Africa’s growth in economic, social, political and leadership development.

2020 elections

Rev. Nash expressed concern with the manner in which the youth were involved in violence during the election, thus them to stay away from such acts.

He also called on appropriate agencies to monitor, name, shame and sanction media outfits that will allow their outlets to be used to create violence and tension in the country during this election period

“We are also asking institutions that had the obligation to maintain and sustain peace to act in a manner that would help remove all oppressive structures from society,” he said.

Social institutions such as the National Peace Council, the National House of Chiefs and other civil society organisations (CSOs) ought to get involved by holding politicians who engage in violent campaigns to check,” he said.

“In order to maintain and sustain peace in the country, these institutions ought to act responsibly in order to remove all oppressive structures that are inimical to national peace and stability.

I want to call on the Electoral Commission (EC) to apply the electoral laws firmly without discrimination especially when it comes to NPP and NDC, since any attempt to bend the rules could spark violence,” he said.

He also urged the political parties to see the EC as a key partner in the democratic process by constantly seeking clarification on issues that they did not understand rather than attacking the integrity of the electoral body.

“We need to, as a people, know that the EC is the mandated body for the conduct of our elections. We need to support the EC to discharge its mandate in a peaceful manner rather than creating conditions that will spark violence and put the electoral body into disrepute,” he said.

List of Awardees

1. Apostle Dr. Samuel Obeng-Mensah, Head of Administration, Ga East

2. Arafat Sulemana Abdulai, Zongo Development Fund

3. WOI Joseph Hammong, World War 2 Veteran

4. Kweku Kwarteng, Member of Parliament Obuasi West

5. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu Majority Leader of Parliament

6. Mr. Sampson Asare Fianko, Deputy Controller and Accountant-General (Finance and Administration)

7. Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader of Parliament

8. Mrs. Francess Virginia Anderson, Sierra Leone High Commissioner

9. Dr. Frank Ankobea Esq., President of Ghana Media Association

10. Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, Chief Executive Officer, Crime Check Foundation

11. Mr. Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, Controller and Accountant-General

12. Mr. Yoofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre

13. Madam Veronica Alele Heming, District Chief Executive for Bole

14. Otoobuor Djan kwasi II, Chief of Aburi

15. Dr. Otiko Afisah Djaba, Chairperson of Henry Djaba Foundation

16. Mr. Suaib William W. Adam, Retired Educationist

17. David Dontoh, Veteran Actor

18. Mark Woyongo, Former Interior Minister

19. Nacee Nana Sei, Gospel Musician

20. Dr. Hannah Bissiw, Former Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture

21.Janet Tulasi Mensah, Municipal Chief Executive, Ga East

22. Cassiel Ato Forson, Former Deputy Finance Minister

23.Dr. Rauf Audu, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Pharmacy Council

24. Dr. Rashid-Pelpuo, Member of Parliament for Wa Central

25. Christine BonBanye Amadu, Jirapa Municipal Chief Executive

26. Dr. Osei Kwame Despite, Chief Executive Officer Despite Group of Companies

27. Oppong Nkrumah, Information Minister

28. Mr. Emmanuel Asiedu Mante, Former Deputy Governor, Bank of Ghana

29. Bishop Dr. Charles Hackman, General Overseer, Fire City Chapel

30. Cynthia Mamle Morrison, Minister or Gender, Children and Social Protection

31. Dr. Ernst ofori Sarpong, Chief Executive Officer, Special Investment Limited

32. Mr. Isaac Adongo, Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central

33. Mr. Emmanuel Bright Obeng Nyarko, Managing Director Kofata Motors

34. Nathaniel Ato Kito

35. Ambassador David Ahaglatey

37. Henry Djaba Foundation

38. Pharmaceutical Council

39. Ga East Municipal Assembly