The Vice-President in charge of research at the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Bright Simons, has expressed profound concern regarding what he perceives as alarming wastefulness within Ghana's political system.Addressing the X platform, Simons illuminated a critical aspect of governance that he believes urgently requires attention and reform.One specific issue highlighted by Mr Simons is the recent controversy surrounding the adoption of a new electoral register.

"The WASTEFULNESS of the political system in Ghana FRIGHTENS me! Many didn't pay attention, but when IMANI opposed the new electoral register, our main reason was that the EC intended to trash thousands of devices in good condition. No one cared," he wrote.Despite objections from the advocacy group IMANI, which raised concerns about the unnecessary disposal of thousands of functional devices by the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Simons expressed dismay at the apparent lack of public outcry over the matter.A recent report by IMANI revealed that the Electoral Commission (EC) intends to discard a system valued at $60 million, with at least $40 million of value accumulated since 2016 alone.

According to the group, the implementation of this new biometric system is estimated to cost $150 million (plus contingency).

IMANI's report suggests that a careful analysis of best practices in procuring biometric technology for elections in Africa indicates that the EC's proposed spending plans are inflated by about 60 per cent.

They argued that the EC's proposed system is disproportionately expensive compared to similar systems in other African countries.

1/The WASTEFULNESS of the political system in Ghana FRIGHTENS me!Many didn't pay attention, but when IMANI opposed the new electoral register, our main reason was that the EC intended to trash thousands of devices in good condition. No one cared.

Bright Simons (@BBSimons) April 21, 2024