Ensure credible polls – Rawlings charges EC

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has called on Electoral Commission to uphold the sanctity and integrity of the December 7, 2020 polls.

This, he said can be done by ensuring that the electoral register is cleaned up following recent reports of missing names and other challenges during the exhibition of the register.

He made the call when the delegation of Chiefs led by the Awadada of the Anlo State, Togbe Agbesi Awusu II came to mourn the demise of Madam Victoria Agbotui, mother of the former President and a Queen mother of the Anlo State on Thursday.

He added that notwithstanding the good intentions of government to protect the country’s territorial interest and integrity, the recent deployment of the military and other security services that sparked some disaffection could have been done without the passion it generated.

Former President Rawlings thanked the Chiefs and Elders of Anlo State for their support and wise counsel to bring his mother home for the final funeral rights.

 “My grandmother and some uncles would have been buried in Keta but the landlessness or the erosion caused by the sea has claimed many homes and family graveyards”, he said.

He added that the essence of sending the mortal remains of elders of the land back home, is to deepen the values and spirituality of the traditional area and called for the protection of such cultural values.

Togbe Awadada said the indisputable integrity of former President Rawlings, his contributions to national development and the dividends of his exceptional leadership is “what we enjoy today as the Fourth Republic”.

According to the Awadada, the customs of Anlo make it imperative for the Chiefs and Elders of the land to call on their son and the immediate bereaved family to confirm the sad news, offer their condolences and equally use the opportunity to offer special prayers for the departed soul and the bereaved family.

The Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee and the Stool Father of the Anlo State, Daniel Abodakpi, expressed the family’s profound gratitude to the Chiefs for the kind support.

Members of the delegation included, Torgbiga Addo VIII- Fiaga of Klikor, Torgbi Gbordzor V – Dusifiaga of Anlo and Dufia of Woe, Torgbi James Okloo V- Dufia of Keta, Togbi Kpemenegawo V – Wuti, Torgbi Adukli Attipoe- Anyako and Torgbi Edihoo II – Xorvi.

Others are Torgbi Djirakor I, Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe, Dumega James Kofi Tamakloe, Torgbi Adzofia V, Dzodze, Torgbi Tay- Agbozo V- Dzelukope, Torgbi Akaba VIII- Anyako, Mama Dzotsi IV and Mama Wui III.