The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged the media to offer intensive and sustained publicity to the upcoming native authorities elections to make sure excessive voter turnout.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has scheduled Tuesday, December 19, 2023 for the native authorities elections in 6,272 electoral areas in all of the districts throughout the nation, besides Nkoranza North and Nkoranza South within the Bono East Region, for the election of meeting members and unit committee members for the subsequent 4 years.
A press launch signed by the General Secretary, Kofi Yaboah mentioned, “The GJA appreciates the significance of governance on the native stage in a decentralised democracy and that as the fundamental construction of the nation’s nationwide governance structure, it’s crucial to strengthen management on the native stage on which the constructing blocks of democracy are laid.
The GJA additionally believes that management on the native stage is prime to Ghana’s development and that electing the precise individuals to serve within the district assemblies and unit committees is step one in direction of nationwide growth.”
According to the press launch dated December 12, 2023, “Given the critical role of the media as development agents, it is imperative for the media fraternity to rally the people for high patronage in the upcoming local government elections.”
The GJA subsequently referred to as on media homes to supply their platforms to the candidates, voters, election administration physique and different electoral actors to share their ideas and opinions in a way that will make sure the success of the elections.
“The media must also help to educate the electorate on the importance of local governance and the need for them to get involved by going to the polls. The GJA particularly urges the media to exhibit high professional standards in the electioneering, and use the coverage of the local government elections as a test case for Election 2024 that must be passed with excellence,” it added.
The GJA additionally inspired the voters to end up of their numbers to elect their native representatives to assist push the frontiers of their very own growth.
“A good voter turnout, especially in local elections, is an indication of the willingness of the citizens to participate in the decision-making of their communities. We urge the electorate to give the same importance they attach to the general elections, to the local government elections, by turning up in their numbers at the polls on December 19, 2023. Let’s make our democracy healthier by coming out in our numbers to vote in order to enhance development at the local level,” The GJA appealed.