PPP ON POLITICAL PARTIES WITH PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION

The Progressive People's Party (PPP) is greatly disturbed by the continuing use of "political parties with representation in Parliament" as a means of determining which parties deserve attention; and which should participate in formal and informal activities this election year. Even though such criteria may have been used in the past, there is NO reason to continue. Circumstances have changed, the political dynamics of this country have also changed, and therefore our societal institutions must also necessarily change as such distinction contradicts our 1992 Constitution.

This country is led by a President whose election is not based on how many seats he or she has in Parliament. Indeed, the President does not need to have even one seat in Parliament to be elected. This feature of the Constitution safeguards the people from tyranny of the majority.

The Constitution empowers the Republic to choose their leadership not based on the leader of the most popular party, but the leader best equipped to bring positive progressive change every citizen can feel. Political parties are not to be based on ethnic or religious lines but are to be national and on the ground, with offices opened and officers elected nationally and audited accounts provided.

The Progressive People's Party is a serious political party working to win the mandate of the people, and so, as required by the Constitution, PPP is fully represented in every district of the country with active membership in each region. Those who want to provide a platform for serious political parties must look beyond representation in Parliament and do proper research to determine which ones are firmly rooted on the ground.

We urge the Electoral Commission to engage in continuous compliance review of the political parties to give guidance to those who have a legitimate reason for working with the ones in good standing.

Kofi Asamoah-Siaw
National Secretary
Progressive People's Party