We appalled by machiavellian tactics to get MCE nominees confirmed — Western North NDC

The Western North Regional Branch of the National Democratic Congress has accused the Regional Coordinating Council (WNRCC) of deliberately sidelining some Assembly Members in order to get the President’s nominees in the District and Municipal Assemblies illegally confirmed.

According to the group, the “undemocratic” action taken by the WNRCC would impede collaboration between the District, the MCEs and those Assembly Members.

“The Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the various assemblies have decided to ostracize some perceived assembly members who are not in bed with the nominees or even as NDC.

“This latest development is not only undemocratic, but one that will not foster collaboration amongst the members of the assembly hence stampeding the development of the assemblies which will have direct bearing on the region in its development,” the party noted.

In a statement signed and released by the party’s Regional Communication Officer, Sam Jerome, the party expressed concern that it had occurred twice and if care is not taken, it would be replicated in other districts in the region.

“It is worth noting that this singular act has the tendency of derailing our democratic gains because if not stopped, it can’t ever be stopped going forward,” the statement added.

The full statement has been published below:

WESTERN NORTH COMMUNICATION BUREAU- NDC

THE NDC IS APPALLED BY THE MACHIAVELLIAN WAY OF CONFIRMING THE PRESIDENT’S NOMINEES AS MDCES IN THE REGION.

The NDC party as recognized by law in its formation has a stake in the governance of our country. As stakeholders, we have utmost responsibility to ensure that good is done to all manner of persons as sworn to by the President in the constitution as well as the protection of our constitution.

In the practice and pursuit of democracy, the opposition parties are charged with responsibility of offering constructive criticism to the party in government to ensure development. We shall indeed not renege on this responsibility. We owe the people that and that we shall ensure no matter the price.

As stakeholders, we are much not oblivious of article 248(1) and (2) of the constitution which talks of non-political involvement in the election of District Assembly Members and other local elections but however, are cognizant of article 243 of same constitution. It is very surprising to note that the NPP has adopted a machiavellian tactics in the execution of article 243 which we are appalled by it as stakeholders. This is undemocratic and violates the rights of most of the assembly members who are to discharge their constitutional mandates under article 243.

The Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the various assemblies have decided to ostracize some perceived assembly members who are not in bed with the nominees or even as NDC. This latest development is not only undemocratic, but one that will not foster collaboration amongst the members of the assembly hence stampeding the development of the assemblies which will have direct bearing on the region in it development.

We are highly concerned as a party because this act has happened twice in the region ie in the confirmation of the President’s nominee for Bibiani Ahwiaso Bekwai and that of Suaman and we are envisaging same at Juaboso if the trend is not checked and stopped. In the case of BAB, only nineteen(19) members out of fifty two(52) members were allowed to participate in the confirmation of the President’s nominee even at a time the assembly had no elected Presiding Member as stated in article 244 of the constitution. Even with the nineteen(19) members, sixteen(16) of them were government appointees. Interestingly, same has been repeated in the case of Suaman of which the nominee was first rejected by the members after he only managed to garner five(5) yes votes as against fourteen(14) no votes totaling nineteen(19) members. In his second bid, only eight(8) members of which six(6) are government appointees were those allowed to participate in the confirmation at a private building belonging to the failed candidate of the NPP in the 2020 parliamentary election at Suaman.

It is imperative to note that out of the nine assemblies in the region, the assembly members have confirmed six out of the nine nominees so it is unfounded for anyone to opine that there is lack of collaboration. We are by this statement averting the minds of our opinion leaders to this act and calling on them to act now.

Thankfully, we have two revered and prominent Chiefs as members of the Council of State who we believe can prompt the President and counsel him on this latest developments if he isn’t aware of which we doubt though. We shall again encourage aggrieved assembly members to seek redress in court even though the outcome is one that can be predicted.

It is worth noting that this singular act has the tendency of derailing our democratic gains because if not stopped, it can’t ever be stopped going forward.

Long live Western North Region!

Sam Jerome

Regional Communication Officer- WNR

17/10/2021.

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