Citi FM and 11 other organisations have jointly launched various election projects sponsored by Star Ghana. The launch took place at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT in Accra on Thursday.
The project, which is being funded by STAR-Ghana, will see organizations such as Blogging Ghana, Abantu, CDD/CODEO, FSDA, African Women Lawyers Association, MUSIGA, National Media Commission, Socioserve Ghana, the Ghana Federation of the Disabled and the Ghana Integrity Initiative, jointly executing initiatives in ensuring a credible and peaceful electioneering in Ghana.
Some of the projects will promote voice, peace, National cohesion, and inclusiveness before, during and after the 2016 polls.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Ibrahim Tanko Amidu, Chief Executive Officer at Star Ghana, said the initiative will enable every Ghanaian to exercise his or her constitutional right by taking part in the electioneering process.
He lamented that “ensuring that our elections are inclusive is still a very big challenge” since “the emphasis has always been on credible and peaceful election.”
“Sometimes we talk about the inclusiveness in a whisper and a lot that needs to be done that every Ghanaian in every part of this country is able to exercise their constitutional right to participate actively in governance. The collaboration between civil society and state actors is something that we need to also place on the table.”
Mr. Amidu however urged those seeking to support the election process, to avoid the attempts to take over the roles of mandated state institutions.
“Sometimes in our eagerness and flush with funds, we think we are a substitute for the state institutions mandated to conduct elections that is not our mandate. Our mandate is to collaborate, hold them accountable and to provide the opportunities. As soon as we attempt to take over the roles of this state agencies, we create the conditions that make collaboration very difficult. So we have to absolutely seek ways to enhance collaboration.”
Students interested in participating in Citi FM’s election coverage, can send a request to [email protected].
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin