Beyond the heaps of praise and an obviously enticing retirement financial reward, the immediate past Chairman of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Djan, has been decorated with Ghana’s highest national award, the Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana.
The award was conferred on him by President John Dramani Mahama, at a ceremony held in his honor for his over two decades of service at the Electoral Commission.
The Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana was conferred on him for his “transformational leadership”.
A citation presented to him read in part;
“Under your able leadership Ghana has recorded significant and progressive reforms in our electoral process. We have moved from the era opaque ballot boxes to transparent ballot boxes, from thumb printed voter identification cards to photo identification cards, from black and white ID cards to coloured one, from manual registration to biometric registration.””You have blazed a trail that others who come after you must follow diligently to ensure further gains to our electoral system,” the citation said. – See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/45494-afari-gyan-and-42-health-volunteers-honoured.html#sthash.ZXX1azcY.dpuf”You have blazed a trail that others who come after you must follow diligently to ensure further gains to our electoral system,” the citation said. – See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/45494-afari-gyan-and-42-health-volunteers-honoured.html#sthash.ZXX1azcY.dpuf
“You have blazed a trail that others who came after you must follow diligently to ensure further gains in our electoral system” the citation said.
It also said Dr. Afari-Gyan is held in high esteem all over the world.
The solemn ceremony was attended by families and friends of the awardees, which also included some medical doctors and health service who dedicated themselves to assist in the fight against Ebola treatment and prevention in affected African countries.
Political party leaders including the chairmen of the New Patriotic Party Paul Afoko and the Peoples National Convention, Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, attended the event.
The two men in an interview with Accra-based Joy FM, acknowledged Dr. Dr Afari-Gyan’s enormous contribution to Ghana’s democracy and stability.
Afari Djan
Born at Anyimon in the Brong-Ahafo Region on June 18, 1945, Dr. Afari Gyan was in 1992 appointed Deputy Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the PNDC military government.
He became the first chairman of the Electoral Commission on the birth of the 4th Republic.
He retired in June, this year on attaining the age of 70. Mostly praised for his excellent service at the commission, he had a few hiccups before his retirement.
The last election he supervised was contested at the Supreme Court by the opposition New Patriotic Party. Although the court upheld his declaration of the NDC’s John Mahama as the winner of the polls, the opposition party believes he did a poor job that robbed them of victory.
Dr. Afari Djan in his last days, also caused Ghana a huge financial blow after he lost a legal tussle in which the Commission had been sued for bypassing a legislation to conduct District Level elections.
Many have blamed his intransigence nature for the incident.
His Successor
Dr. Djan’s exit paves the way for Ghana’s first ever female to lead the commission. Mrs. Charlotte Osei, a former head of the National Commission for Civic Education, NCCE, has been sworn in by President Mahama to lead the commission.
With her vast experience in public sector work and her legal background, she is expected to strengthen the commission’s integrity.
Born at Anyimon in the Brong-Ahafo Region on June 18, 1945, Dr. Afari Gyan was in 1992 appointed Deputy Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the PNDC military government.
He became the first chairman of the Electoral Commission on the birth of the 4th Republic.
He retired in June, this year on attaining the age of 70.- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/45494-afari-gyan-and-42-health-volunteers-honoured.html#sthash.ZXX1azcY.dpuf
Born at Anyimon in the Brong-Ahafo Region on June 18, 1945, Dr. Afari Gyan was in 1992 appointed Deputy Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the PNDC military government.
He became the first chairman of the Electoral Commission on the birth of the 4th Republic.
He retired in June, this year on attaining the age of 70.- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/45494-afari-gyan-and-42-health-volunteers-honoured.html#sthash.ZXX1azcY.dpuf
Born at Anyimon in the Brong-Ahafo Region on June 18, 1945, Dr. Afari Gyan was in 1992 appointed Deputy Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the PNDC military government.
He became the first chairman of the Electoral Commission on the birth of the 4th Republic.
He retired in June, this year on attaining the age of 70.- See more at: http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/45494-afari-gyan-and-42-health-volunteers-honoured.html#sthash.ZXX1azcY.dpuf
By:Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/3news.com/Ghana
