Gabby Otchere-Darko addressing the media at the launch
THE DANQUAH Institute (DI) has urged a rethink of intra-party elections in Ghana.
According to DI, a lot of time which could have been used to focus on national development and elections at the general level, was being wasted on political parties’ constituencies elections.
DI made the call at the launch of its 10th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday in Accra, saying parties were spending lots of money and material resources and causing their supporters to unnecessarily fight amongst themselves just for constituency elections.
Founding Executive Director of DI, Gabby Otchere-Darko who made the call, observed that the organization of parties’ elections had caused many governments over the years to spend the first two years of their four years mandate on electing secretaries, chairmen, Nasara coordinators, youth organizer, at the constituency level when indeed such persons could be appointed by the parties’ leadership based on competence and not “popularity.”
He said at the party level, focus ought to only be placed on the elections of flagbearers, parliamentary candidates and not constituency executives as it is the case now.
Touching on the history of DI, Mr. Otchere-Darko said “before DI, think-tanks in the country were a bit shy to align themselves ideologically.
According to him, through its monitoring works over the years, DI has been able to save the country some $5 billion, and made parliament to “sit on its toes.”
He urged government to support Members of Parliament (MPs) to be able to protect the public purse.
He also called for the encouragement of young Ghanaians to take up leadership roles based on values and integrity.
Executive Director of DI, Â Dr. Kingsley Nyarko said as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary celebration, the Institute will on March 8 this year, make donations to Nsawam Prisons and hold an anniversary lecture to be addressed by the Executive Secretary to the President, lawyer Asante Bediatu.
The March 15, he said, will be chaired by 2016 campaign chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Peter Mac Manu.
The DI was formed as a research organization to help shape political discourse in Ghana.
Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye, Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, among others, have all reportedly contributed to the growth of DI, with President Akufo-Addo said to be the inspiration behind the formation of the Institute.
BY Melvin Tarlue