What We Forgot About Madam Emelia Arthur, Fisheries And Aquaculture Minister

Madam Emelia Arthur was appointed the District Chief Executive for Shama by late Prof. Atta Mills in 2009. Based on her conviction not to plunder and enrich herself refused to buy the votes of the Assembly Members who were allegedly selling their votes.

Because she was not in the class of those politicians who seek to plunder and enrich themselves, refused to bribe the assembly members, and was prepared for whatever verdict the assembly members may decide. She paid the ultimate price and she was rejected by the assembly members who were selling their votes, but she took it in her own stride.

The assembly members who rejected her realized they have lost a gem, immediately appealed to late Prof Mills to renominate her, and she was renominated and massively approved, and her renomination generated some constitutional breach that was ignored by the President.

Emelia Arthur's sterling performance as the District Chief Executive for Shama was recognized by President Mills of blessed memory and he quickly elevate her to the position of the Western Regional Minister, a position she held until January 2013. She had a great relationship with her constituents during her short span of time as the District Chief Executive for Shama.

Somewhere in 2011 the youth felt she could represent them better at the legislative assembly hence they galvanized their energies to make her their parliamentary candidate, unfortunately their choice had a serious resistance from the party executives and eventually she was disqualified.

President John Mahama appointed Madam Emelia Arthur as a presidential staffer after the 2012 general elections a position she held until 2019. Based on the good and cordial relationship she has with her constituents, they have finally honoured her to represent them at the legislative assembly after thirteen long years of her disqualification.

Emelia Arthur's patience and endurance should be emulated by some of the party compatriots who are instigating the party youth to run riot, because their favorite candidate did not catch the eye of the president for an appointment. Those individuals inciting the party youth to destroy party properties must desist from that negative conducts.

The trend that is developing must be a signal to party members that think becoming a member of parliament is a shortcut to become a minister should reconsider those ambitions. That opportunity is being eroded and may not be available in the near future.

Mike Kalley
Sociopolitical Analyst.