The United States government has pledged an amount of 4.5 million dollars to support Ghana’s election which comes off on November 7, 2016. The EC will be getting one third of the money for voter education and to support other activities relating to the elections. This pledge from the United States comes barely two months after the British government also announced a 4 million pound support to the Electoral Commission to help run an effective election. The Electoral Commission in December 2015 submitted a budget of 1.8 billion Ghana cedi to parliament for approval to effectively run the 2016 elections. Parliament approved 1.2 billion of the said amount but this was further slashed to 826.8 million cedis by the Finance Ministry on grounds that there is a ceiling on the total amount it can release for elections.
The support from the two countries comes at a time government has reiterated that it would stay within budget and not overspend this election year, an evil that has tormented previous governments.
Meanwhile the United States has advised political parties to take a pledge to peaceful elections. The United States has supported Ghana over the years with focus on health, agriculture, education and sustainable governance.
Speaking with journalists on his 90 days in office, the U.S Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson expressed optimism on Ghana’s potential for investments.
Full Article: US to support Ghana’s elections with $4.5 million | Politics 2016-04-17.
