NDC sets conditions to re-join IPAC

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced its decision to return to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) meetings.

The announcement came in response to an appeal by Dr. Reverend Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the National Peace Council, during a stock-taking conference at Peduase in the Eastern Region.

Mr. Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, the National Chairman of the NDC, clarified that the party’s return to IPAC was contingent on the Electoral Commission (EC) ensuring that the council reverted to its “consensus-building” approach in implementing electoral reforms.

Expressing the party’s commitment to the democratic process, Asiedu-Nketia outlined conditions for their participation, emphasizing the need to address issues that previously hindered their involvement.

“We want to return to IPAC and not any other forum. The issues that blocked our return should be dealt with before our next IPAC meeting,” stated Mr. Asiedu-Nketia.

The NDC had abstained from IPAC meetings since March 2020, citing dissatisfaction with the Electoral Commission’s handling of decisions made during IPAC meetings regarding electoral reforms.

One of the concerns raised by the NDC pertains to the EC’s push for the Ghana Card to be the sole identification document for the Commission’s proposed continuous voter registration exercise.

Asiedu-Nketia argued that such a move could potentially disenfranchise around one million voters. He expressed the NDC’s support for the Ghana Card requirement if every eligible voter had access to it.

Dr. Adu-Gyamfi of the National Peace Council disclosed that extensive engagements had taken place between the Council, the EC, and the NDC on the matter. The Council expressed hope for a positive declaration from the NDC by the conclusion of the ongoing meeting.

In her address at the conference, Mrs. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, appealed to the NDC to rejoin IPAC, emphasizing the Commission’s commitment to the inclusion of all parties for the consolidation of Ghana’s democracy.

The conference aimed to evaluate institutional progress toward building resilience for credible, transparent, and peaceful general elections in 2024. Key stakeholders, including the EC, NDC, and National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), gathered to discuss the unique challenges and requirements of the upcoming elections, especially in light of political instability in the West Africa Sub-region.