Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, who serves as the Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has publicly voiced significant concerns about the selection process that led to YASARKO being chosen to print ballot papers for the upcoming 2024 general elections in Ghana. In a post shared on October 25, he criticized the Electoral Commission for potentially failing to conduct proper due diligence prior to awarding the printing contract to YASARKO. Dr. Boamah accused the company of being inefficient and unreliable, suggesting that its performance since the commencement of the printing operation has been severely lacking. He intended to shine a spotlight on these issues as part of his broader effort to ensure the electoral process is transparent and trustworthy.
Dr. Boamah takes pride in the NDC’s #EAGLEEYES initiative, which was created as an oversight group tasked with safeguarding the integrity of the upcoming elections. He expressed gratitude for the efforts of this team, which he claims has already uncovered several problems related to YASARKO’s operational shortcomings. Affirming that vigilance is essential in maintaining electoral integrity, he stated, “Because of their #EAGLEEYES, one of the companies contracted by the Electoral Commission to print ballot materials must lose their contract.” He elaborated on the difficulties posed by YASARKO’s failure to deliver, highlighting the resources wasted as the NDC has deployed agents and supervisors in a continuous inspection cycle to monitor the situation.
The critical oversight provided by the NDC’s #EAGLEEYES initiative has been essential in ensuring that YASARKO is held accountable for its lack of progress. Dr. Omane Boamah noted that this failure has resulted in NDC agents conducting round-the-clock inspections to keep potential discrepancies in check. He raised further suspicions about YASARKO’s motives, hinting that the company could have utilized dubious tactics to secure the contract. Dr. Boamah suggested that it was possible they sought the contract without the necessary qualifications, potentially planning to outsource part of the printing work and combat the complications of managing the ballots from other locations.
Reiterating the importance of vigilance, Dr. Boamah emphasized that the #EAGLEEYES team would detect and prevent any irregularities that might arise during the election process. He asserted unequivocally that their team is continuously monitoring the situation, assuring supporters that they are committed to their mission. “They must be joking because our #EAGLEEYES team does not sleep! Our Agents and Supervisors… are doing the Lord’s work,” he remarked, underscoring the gravity of their efforts to uphold electoral integrity in the face of potential manipulation or incompetence.
Dr. Omane Boamah also mentioned the proactive approach taken by the NDC in discussions with other printing companies regarding the number of excess ballot papers, colloquially referred to as “overs.” He highlighted recent negotiations that have led to an agreement ensuring that every excess ballot paper produced will be accounted for before any are destroyed. This step was deemed necessary to mitigate the risk of exploitation in the ballot printing process and to uphold the principles of accountability in elections.
Ultimately, Dr. Boamah’s comments serve as a rallying cry for the NDC and its supporters, reinforcing their commitment to integrity and transparency leading up to the 2024 elections. By raising alarms about YASARKO’s performance and overseeing their operations through the #EAGLEEYES initiative, the NDC aims to foster a more reliable election process. Dr. Boamah’s assertions signal the party’s determination to vigilantly protect democratic principles during a critical juncture in Ghana’s electoral landscape, urging continual scrutiny to ensure a fair electoral process free from potential malpractice or mismanagement.
