Ghana’s main opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) has written to President Akufo-Addo requesting fresh talks on the constitutional provision barring political parties from sponsoring candidates in the local assembly elections.
The provision in Article 55(3) of Ghana’s 1992 constitution was a subject for referendum but was called off by President Akufo-Addo — citing the NDC’s failure to engage.
In a four-page statement written by the NDC Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the party said it has constituted a team to engage government at its earliest convenience, to build the needed broad consensus of the issue of amendment of the said Article.
The party’s statement referenced President Akufo-Addo’s December 1, broadcast to the nation cancelling the referendum to Amend Article 55(3).
Among other matters, the party would want some issues to be discussed including the text of the amendment of the Article, consequential constitutional amendments to be enacted pursuant to the amendment to Article 55(3) and Article 248.
Also, the party wants to discuss the consequential matter that will arise following the constitutional and legislative amendments including the fate of the 30% Assembly members currently appointed by the President under Article 242 (d) of the Constitution.
Again, the NDC “would like us to consider ceding that power of appointment to our chiefs and traditional authorities as was the case under the 1969 Second Republican and 1979 Third Republican Constitutions. This is something our chiefs and traditional authorities have been demanding since we entered the Fourth Republic. If that is agreed, we will have to discuss with the National House of Chiefs how and which chiefs and traditional authorities those appointments are to be made.”
Read full statement below:
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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