Airports might be opened September 1 – Baako

Editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide Abdul Malik Kwaku Baako, has made revelations on the possible opening of Ghana’s international airport on September 1, 2020.

Mr Baako said Ghana could open its airstrip for flights from countries across the globe as the authorities get a grip on the coronavirus which forced closure of all borders.

However, he was of the view that the land borders of the country will remain shut to human traffic except for goods.

Speaking on Joy TV’s Newsfile programme on Saturday, August 15, he said: “In doing some checks within the corridors of power, hint dropped into my ears possibly, the airports might be reopened 1st September”.

He was of the view that Ghanaians who return to the country within that period can participate in the new voter registration exercise which ended on August 9.

The EC will, however, continue registrations at its offices for qualified persons.

This, Mr Baako said, will enable qualified persons outside the country to vote in the 2020 polls. This can happen only if they arrive and register for the voter card a tleast 50 days before the polls.

It would be recalled that the Director of Elections at the EC, Dr Serebour Quaicoe, indicated in August that this was possible.

A group which identifies itself as Article 42, submitted a petition to the EC in June to capture qualified persons living abroad on to the voter roll.

Coordinator for the group, Richard Sky, said in the statement that: “We do not contest the EC’s power to compile a new voters’ register, more so when the Supreme Court adjudged on 25th June 2020 that the Commission should proceed with its plans to compose a new electoral roll.

“We, however, take the view that any compilation of a new voters’ register that excludes those of us either currently living and or staying outside Ghana will amount to a violation of our constitutional right to vote and our legal entitlement to be registered as voters for public elections and referenda purposes under Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”

“We also believe that any registration of voters that does not include those of us living or staying outside Ghana will violate the letter and spirit of ROPAA 2006 and the High Court’s decision in Kofi A. Boateng and Others vs the EC and the Attorney General.”