EU EXFTOL TO THE THREE INDEPENDENT GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS IN GHANA LAUNCHED.

The head of European Union delegation to Ghana ambassador Claude Marten noted that the 7million grant by EU to support three independent institutions which aimed is to equipped their activities towards the Ghana electoral processes for the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections. The EU attaches high importance to the development and consolidation of deeding democracy and the rule of leas respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms world. Supporting democracy is in fact a crutial endeavor for the international donor community both because of the intrinsic value of democracy as a political system that help foster human dignity and the contributions that democratic governance make toward better developmental outcomes for individuals citizens.

Announcing this in a news conference in Accra last Tuesday he said several recommendations to improve the electoral process where made by the different electoral observation mission following the 2008 elections. Among these recommendation some were of particular importance namely. Providing more extensive and permanent vote and civic education through NCCE, revise the media regulatory framework and establish clear monitory mechanism through the strengthening of NMC, further enhancing of EC capacity, Provide more training to polling staff, promote the participation of woman and minorities, further support a continuous dengue between EC and political parties. These recommendation were instrumental for the EC,NCCE and NMC.

Ambassador marten added that the EU delegation in line with the electoral cycle approach, is also providing extensive electoral support to civil society organizations through grant contract for an amount of 2.4m Euro, that specially target participation of woman in polities, funded under European instrument for democracy and human right (EIDHR) and through the 4.5m euro contribution to strengthening transparency, accountability and responsiveness in Ghana.

Meanwhile the 7meuro grants have been signed with the three IGIS. These grant would enable EC, NCCE and NMC to further strengthening their constitutional mandate and to increase their overall operation capacity. The EU program will also provide support to the EC training school in Kumasi- that also serve as a main training facility and centre of excellence of the association of Africa election authorities (AAEA).

In his remarks Dr.Kwadwo Afari-Gyan chairman E C disclose that the EU is providing 3.8 million euro will be used to implement activities on building human resource and institutional capacity and public outreach and vote education which will enable civil society and public engage initiatives .

Stressing that the focus on medium term capacity development of the electoral commission and the promotion of civic and voter education under this support will enhance the ECs ability to organize future election and also increase public awareness of the electoral and democratic process and hope full lead to increased citizen participation.

Dr. Afarigyan assures true, fair, transparent and peaceful during and after 2012 general election.

Ms.charlotte Osei chairparson NCCE explained that the 1.5m Euros will be used to punches equipments to enhancing civic education across the district and communities in the electoral processes in the country.

The chairman of the National Media commission Ambassador cabral Blay Amihere Lamented that the 1m euro grant from the European union will be used to strengthening legislative instrument and transformed media professionalism by way of ensuring transparent, peaceful fair and credible during and after presidential and parliamentary 2012 polls.