A group calling itself Youth for Development (YfD) has warned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to desist from attempts aimed at disenfranchising majority of Ghanaians particularly, those from the Volta Region.
Members of the group who are mainly from the Volta Region are convinced that government’s directive to stop issuance of birth certificates in the region is a ploy to exclude Voltarians from registering for Ghana cards in the ongoing National Identification Authority’s exercise.
At a press conference dubbed Evaglo (Enough is enough) organised by the group on Thursday, July 12, 2018 in Ho, the Group said it could not be mere coincidence that Volta Regional Head of Births and Deaths Registry, Mr. Richard Wemegah and his Deputy, Mad. Peace Agbenyo were asked to handover and notice for cessation of issuing birth certificates given.
The Regional Head and his Deputy each received a letter signed for the Minister of Local Government Local Government and Rural Development by C. K. Dondieu of the Ministry directing them to handover to the Volta Regional Coordinating Director and report to the Ministry in Accra for reposting by June 19, 2018.
Both letters ordered that the issuance of birth certificates in the Volta Regional office of the Registry should cease with immediate effect.
YfD considers the removal of these two persons a demonstration of hatred for the people in the Volta region.
“As though these were not enough, the National Head of the Registry in the person of Mr. John Agbeko was also served with a letter to handover to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. Interestingly, all the three affected persons are natives of the Volta Region. Clueless President Akufo Addo should take caution and watch his dubious actions targeted at
Voltarians if he wants to keep the peace he inherited from former President John Dramani Mahama.”
The Group believes the happenings are part of a grand scheme to alienate majority of Voltarians to support claims of Vice President Dr. Bawumia when they were in opposition and to prevent them from acquiring birth certificates and by extension, the Ghana card.
“Not only is the directive to stop issuing birth certificates to applicants in the Volta Region unthinkable, it is also a pure exhibition of hatred to the people of Volta Region by President Akufo Addo and his government and part of a grand plan to deny them the opportunity to register for Ghana Card which will become the basic requirement for registering as voters under this vindictive and clueless government. This path is dangerous and disgraceful to our growing democracy, and also to the peace and stability of our country.”
The Group is therefore demanding from Nana Addo the immediate resumption of issuance of birth certificates to applicants in the region and also acceptance of Voter’s card as requirement for Ghana Card registration to ensure majority of Ghanaians are not left out.
By: Ewoenam Kpodo/Voltaonlinegh.com
