Choose God-fearing EC boss - Methodist Bishop tells President

The Methodist Bishop of Obuasi Diocese has waded into the controversial issue of the appointment of a new chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), calling on the President to choose a God-fearing person.

According to Rt. Rev. Stephen Richard Bosomtwi-Ayensu, Ghanaians have become interested in who becomes the next EC chairman because the 2016 polls are critical to Ghana's peace.

Many people, including civil society groups and political parties, have called for broad consultation with the President and Council of State in the selection process.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 18th Annual Synod of the Obuasi Methodist, Rt. Rev. Stephen Richard Bosomtwi-Ayensu said, “the appointment of a new EC chairman is crucial because it forms part of areas of the country's electoral process that can trigger a gun if care is not taken.

“I am humbly appealing to the appointing agent or the machinery and the powers-that-be to do their best to consult broadly, not leaving the political parties out of these consultations and discussions for our good,” Rev Bosomtwi-Ayensu implored.

The Bishop stated that political parties, who are key stakeholders, are at the forefront of elections and governance in the country, admonishing the President not to relegate them to the background.

“I want a God-fearing person to be appointed, as such individual will know that he has been appointed to serve the nation and remain neutral as a referee in the country's elections.

He implored the citizens to learn good lessons from the recent elections in Nigeria, noting that Ghana's election process must be more transparent, free and fair to show the world that it has come of age in terms of the democratic journey.

Economy
Touching on the economy, Bishop Bosomtwi-Ayensu expressed worry about the borrowing spree by the government and pointed out that situation would affect the currency and the fiscal policy.

"Ghanaians are becoming economically frustrated. It is a natural law that who is a borrower is a servant or slave to the lender and everyone knows that if you affiliate with IMF you will go with its prescriptions.

“Our leaders have let us down and Ghanaians are disappointed. What recently happened at the Wesley College of Education in Kumasi is an undercurrent of the people's anger, having made us economically frustrated,” the Bishop emphasised.