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05.12.2012 Elections

Political Child Soldiers' In The Ghanaian Presidential Election

Raise Fears Of Widespread Child Abuse On Election Day
By Reverend George Hargreaves
Political Child Soldiers'  In The Ghanaian Presidential Election
05.12.2012 LISTEN

British Clergyman Launches International Campaign
To Prevent Children Registered To Vote Being Harmed On Ghanaian Election Day

With just 3 (three) days left until Election Day in Ghana, Reverend George Hargreaves, leader of The Christian Party in the United Kingdom and Chief Executive of The Christian Party Charitable Trust has raised concerns, via YOUTUBE, of widespread child abuse this Friday, 7th December, when Ghanaians go to the polls to elect a new President and Member of Parliament.

The fears surround the fact that hundreds, possibly thousands, of children have been biometrically registered to vote. The registration process required the physical presence, for the purposes of photographing and finger-printing, of those wishing to register. Despite this, children - some of which look no older than nine or ten years old - have been registered and are now “legally” eligible to vote; whilst it remains illegal for a minor to vote in the election.


“In what is turning out to be a 'too close to call' election, the legal conundrum surrounding child voters - whom I regard as the equivalent of 'political child soldiers' as it is the same mindset that would send a ten year old to vote in a political conflict as would send a ten year old to fight in an armed conflict - raises many concerns, fears and questions. Indeed, many believe that the issue will be a flashpoint for violence. It is our responsibility as adults to take these children out of this toxic mix.” claims Hargreaves, who is currently in Ghana on holiday.

Hargreaves, who has now launched a campaign to raise international awareness of the problem and thereby force the Ghanaian authorities to act, says “ For me this is a 'child protection issue. It is clear that these children will be told how to vote and if they refuse many will be physically abused on Friday.

I spoke to Dr Afari Gyan, Chairman of Ghana's Electoral Commission, last night and he confirmed that there are at least “hundreds” of children illegally registered. If just one child is slapped or beaten for refusing to cast a ballot in what is clearly election fraud, that will be one child too many.” says Hargreaves.

The YOUTUBE video, which features photographs released by the Electoral Commission of children on the voters' register, can be seen at:

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