Pollster Ben Ephson has said implementation of the Representation of the People Amendment Act 2006 (ROPAA), will be a huge financial burden to Ghana, adding that the country will have to borrow money in order to make this provision a reality.
A Human Rights High Court on Monday ordered the Electoral Commission to take all necessary steps to enable Ghanaians living abroad to vote in the 2020 elections.
The court presided over by Justice Anthony Yeboah said the implementation must be carried out within the next one year.
The Kufuor administration supervised the passing of the Representation of the People Amendment Act 2006, (Act 699) but 11 years down the line, it’s yet to be implemented.
Commenting on how workable the court order is, the Managing Editor of Daily Dispatch told Fiifi Banson on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa FM Tuesday that although ROPAA will advance Ghana’s democracy, the cost implication will be huge.
“I laughed when I first heard the court’s directive, this is because it wouldn’t be easy making this happen. If we as Ghanaians accept that we implement ROPAA and allow our brothers and sisters abroad to vote, then we might have to borrow money to ensure it’s done. I’m excited that eventually Ghanaians abroad will have opportunity vote, but while they want to involve themselves in the process of electing who’ll lead this country, they should also be willing to contribute to funding the cost of making ROPAA workable.
