Nearly a month after members of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in the Ashanti Region cast their votes in regional elections, there is still no clarity on when the newly elected officers will be sworn into office.
At the center of the delay is a petition filed by Georgina Ankumah, the defeated candidate for the chairmanship position. Her petition to the GJA’s National Election Committee cites irregularities during the election process—despite the fact that these alleged issues were accepted on the day by both her own polling agents and the returning officer.
It’s worth noting that of the four regional executive positions, only the chairmanship was contested. Kofi Adu Domfeh of the Multimedia Group Limited narrowly won the seat by a single vote.
The Petition and Committee Recommendation
Following the petition, the GJA’s Election Disputes Adjudicating Committee (EDAC), chaired by Dr. Zakaria Tanko, reviewed the matter and recommended a rerun of the election in the Ashanti Region. The committee cited irregularities, including one instance in which a voter registered in the Greater Accra Region was allowed to cast her ballot in Ashanti.
Given the razor-thin margin of victory, EDAC concluded that such irregularities could have affected the outcome and, therefore, a new election was warranted.
Questioning the Basis for a Rerun
While EDAC’s findings may seem procedurally sound, their conclusion has raised eyebrows, especially since the same election allowed other individuals with similar inconsistencies in registration to vote without dispute.
For example, Justice Isaac Bediako of EIB Network—listed under Ahafo Region but long based in Ashanti—was permitted to vote. Similarly, former National Media Commission Chair Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, though having spent most of his career in Accra, currently resides in Kumasi and also voted.
All these voters were cleared by the candidates’ agents, the Electoral Commission’s returning officer, and the GJA Election Committee representative, Thomas Nsowah. This agreement at the polling station makes the EDAC’s recommendation for a rerun seem inconsistent, if not contradictory.
Who Should Be Held Accountable?
If irregularities did occur, should the responsibility fall on the candidates, or rather on the association’s systems and processes? Mr. Domfeh played no role in the registration or voting process; the issues identified were administrative in nature.
It’s troubling that he may be penalized for procedural lapses he did not cause—raising concerns about fairness in the handling of the electoral process.
Silence and Speculation
So far, the National Election Committee has not publicly responded to EDAC’s recommendations. This silence has fueled speculation that elements within the national leadership may be working behind the scenes to influence the outcome in favor of a preferred candidate.
More troubling still is the omission of any investigation into allegations of vote-buying on election day, allegedly involving the petitioner. Some members believe this issue, which EDAC ignored, is just as relevant to the integrity of the election.
A Precedent of Concern
The Ashanti Region wasn’t the only region to use a supplementary list in the June 30 polls. If EDAC’s recommendations are upheld for Ashanti, it raises broader questions about the overall validity of the elections nationwide. Shouldn’t the same standard apply to all regions where similar practices occurred?
Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the credibility of the petitioner, including unverified claims of unaccounted dues collected from members. If the national leadership proceeds to endorse such a candidate despite these concerns, it could damage the integrity of the GJA.
Conclusion
The EDAC, a committee composed of respected professionals, may have erred in judgment. Whether intentional or not, its decision appears to cater to internal factions within the association. Ultimately, if trust in the GJA’s democratic processes is to be preserved, decisions must be transparent, consistent, and just—regardless of internal politics.
