GACC Engages First Time Bompeh School Voters.

Takoradi: Mr. Justice Ennin, the Western Regional Director of the NCCE, has urged new voters in the upcoming elections to avoid selling their conscience to any political party. Instead, he advised them to thoroughly evaluate policies and programs in various manifestos to make informed voting decisions that would contribute to the development and welfare of the country.According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ennin made these remarks during a voter education exercise organized by the GACC at Bompeh Senior High School. The initiative aims to ensure that first-time voters enhance electoral credibility. Ghana's democratic progress relies heavily on active citizen participation, particularly among first-time voters who may be susceptible to misinformation.The GACC, in collaboration with the Ghana Integrity Initiative and supported by the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, is implementing the project 'The Youth Voice: Activating First-Time Voters for Ghana's 2024 General Elections.' This project seeks to promote free, fair, and transparent elections by empowering first-time voters, fostering electoral integrity, and strengthening Ghana's democracy through partnerships with CSOs, state institutions, and the media.Mr. Ennin also urged voters to avoid crowding at polling centers on election day and to refrain from impersonation and related electoral crimes. Mr. Stephen Frimpong, the EC official for the Essikado-Ketan constituency, provided education on voting processes. Meanwhile, Mr. Essuman, the Principal Officer at CHRAJ, encouraged students to read as intellectuals and make informed decisions, emphasizing the importance of casting their first vote with integrity.Mr. Samuel Harrison-Cudjoe, the Programme Officer at GACC, advised that if a mistake is made, voters should not submit the flawed ballot but instead seek a new one from the returning officer. He stated that the goal is to achieve free, fair, accountable, transparent, and inclusive electoral processes by equipping first-time voters with the necessary knowledge and tools to participate meaningfully in Ghana's 2024 election.The project includes voter education campaigns for first-time voters in tertiary institutions across ten districts, hosting events like Twitter spaces to discuss the importance of credible elections, and partnering with relevant stakeholders such as NCCE, EC, and CHRAJ for district-level media engagements to sensitize citizens. Additionally, a social media campaign targeting first-time voters is underway on all GACC social media platforms.The team has previously conducted sensitization efforts for the general public. During the session, students raised questions about proxy voting, spoilt ballots, skirt and blouse voting, and electronic voting, among other pressing electoral issues.