Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has inducted into office a new 25-member Advisory board with a call on the members to continue to work towards enhancing the credibility of electoral outcomes in Ghana.
Outgoing Co-Chair of the Advisory Board, Sheikh Arimiyawo Shaibu, explained that CODEO has monitored all elections in Ghana ranging from Presidential, Parliamentary, District Level and internal party elections. He noted that CODEO has become the most authoritative and credible election observer group in Africa that contributes significantly to reforms in electoral processes.
Sheikh Arimayawo Shaibu eulogized the late Co-Chairs, Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe and Professor Miranda Greenstreet for their spectacular leadership and credibility during their tenure. He asserted that, he became the Acting Co-Chair after the demise of Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe, a position he has worked hard to fill with support from Prof. Miranda Greenstreet.
The Islamic cleric further urged the new advisory board to continue to promote free, fair and credible elections in Ghana.
On her part, one of the newly appointed co-chairs of the coalition, Mrs. Elizabeth Villars, expressed gratitude to the Coalition for the opportunity to serve as Co-Chairs of the distinguished observer group. She assured that, under their leadership as Co-Chairs the coalition will continue to be independent in its approach and will continue to bring transparency and credibility to election outcomes in the country.
Mrs. Villars insists that CODEO will continue to expose election malpractices and give relevant recommendations to sanitize the Ghanaian election process. She also appreciated the leadership and works of Prof. Miranda Greenstreet and Sheikh Arimayawo Shaibu over their tenure as co-chairs of the coalition.
Rev. Fred Deegbe, the other newly appointed Co-Chair of coalition, admitted that CODEO has more work to do to guarantee peaceful outcome of every elections observed in the country. He promised that the coalition will continue to work with the Electoral commission (EC), Courts and the various political parties to improve election processes in the country.
“We will work with the Electoral Commission to have a way of dealing with malpractices before and during elections,” he noted.
Rev. Deegbe further opined that the coalition will work with the Courts to have a dedicated court to deal speedily with election petitions to avoid the tension that comes these petitions in the country. He concluded that the coalition will work to curtail vote buying as it undermines the integrity of every democracy.
A representative of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the inauguration, Peter Mac-Manu asserted that his Party has over the years taken all reports of CODEO seriously and that as a party, the NPP believes that elections must be conducted in a peaceful manner at all times. He further noted that CODEO report gives credibility to the elections and as a party they have great confidence in the coalition.
Mr. Mac-Manu urged the new board to work hard so as to fit well into the shoes of their predecessors Late V.C.R.A.C Crabbe and Prof. Greenstreet.
Other members of the advisory board include Prof. Emmanuel Gyimah Boadi of Afrobarometer, Angel Cabonu of NAGRAT, Kofi Kuntum, Stephanie Nabila, Shiekh Aremeyawo Shaibu, Frank Beechem, Philipa Larsen, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, Alexander Bankole Williams, Rev Dr Cyril Fayorsey, Joyce Nyame, Hamida Harrison, Edmund Acquaye, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman Anderson, Dr Marzuq Abubakar Azindo, Aps Immanuel Tettey, Gifty Florence Anin Botwe, Prof. Takyiwa Manuah, Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, Perpetual Ofori Ampofo, Prof. H Kwesi Prempeh and Ambassador Francis Peprah.