Only 18 Year Old Ghanaians Can Register

It's the fourth day of the registration of voters using a modernized approach - a biometric register. Already, reports have been creeping in from all corners of the country about irregularities, logistical problems and problems with the machine itself. I must commend all the polling agents of all the various parties and stakeholders for their vigilance in ensuring that only 18 year old Ghanaians are registered to vote on 7 December 2012. Nonetheless, regardless of such vigilance some crooked citizens or shall I say non-citizens still dare to register. I wish to share one of such incidents with you.

A Nigerian (why does it always have to be a Nigerian), by name, Banwo Abiodun Ashimiu, who had registered at Cow Lane in the Odododiodio Constituency, was arrested yesterday.

Apparently, he resides at Dansoman Last Stop in the Ablekuma South Constituency, and was leading another group of foreigners to register in the Dansoman area. Unfortunately for him, he was recognised by some residents and apprehended whilst the other foreigners fled. He was then sent to the Dansoman Police Station where he was detained. He was eventually transferred to the Accra Central Police Station under 'strict orders'. The source of the 'strict orders' have not been disclosed but of course you can easily infer from the subsequent facts where the strict orders came from.

At the Accra Central Police Sstation, a member of the ruling NDC government, Nii Lante Vanderpuiye, led national security operatives to release Banwo and attempted to arrest those who apprehended Banwo, for assault.

My reaction to the above story was "is that how desperate the ruling government is, to hold on to power? To the extent that they are bent on packing the register with foreigners?" Foreigners are being given documents to enable them register in their numbers in the strongholds of the opposition, NPP. One thing that is clear is that the ruling NDC government has lost its way. But unfortunately, once the minds of the people are made up, regardless of how much you cheat, you will lose.