We should be bold and make local assembly elections partisan — Sir Dennis Adjei

Supreme Court nominee, Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, has proposed a constitutional amendment to make Ghana’s local government elections partisan.

Currently, Article 248 of the 1992 Constitution bars political party involvement in District Assembly and lower local government elections.

Section 1 states that candidates must present themselves as individuals without using political party symbols.

Section 2 further prohibits political parties from endorsing, sponsoring, or campaigning for or against any candidate.

However, appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, Sir Dennis, who is a Justice of the Court of Appeal, argued that the current system has become indirectly politicised.

He believes making the process openly partisan will promote fairness and transparency.

“My first proposal for constitutional amendment will be the District Assembly elections. Right now, we say it should be non-partisan, but on the ground, it is partisan,” he said.

“Why can’t we be bold and say that this is what we initially intended to achieve, but it cannot be achieved? Therefore, let’s go the partisan way—because that may help.”

He added, “As it is now, we say it should be non-partisan. But every assembly member will tell you that this one belongs to this party, and that one belongs to that party.”