Two years after the passage of ROPAANPP-USA angry with Ghana gov`t…Threatens more court actions

CREDIBLE REPORTS reaching The Chronicle, from the US-Branch of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), indicate that party members are fuming with rage over the inability of the Kufuor-led government in ensuring the implementation of the Representation of Peoples Amendment Law (ROPAL), passed last year, to enable Ghanaians abroad to exercise their franchise, during this year's general elections.

According to deep throat sources, the anger and dissatisfaction among the party members became evident, when some leading members of the party toured various parts of the USA, where the diasporans had threatened fire and brimstone, to ensure that they were not disenfranchised at the polls in December.

The members expressed misgivings about how some politicians turned the diasporans into money-making-process, to oil their campaign strategies, noting that upon assumption of office they seemed to be unconcerned about their democratic rights.

The NPP diaspora branch was of the view that if President Kufuor did not make up his mind to give them their voting rights, it would be a big blow to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the flagbearer of the party, in terms of resources to finance his campaign.

Political analysts described the anger and frustration of Ghanaians abroad, as untimely and a big blow to the NPP flagbearer, since a large chunk of its resources come from the diasporans.

The chairman of the UK branch of the NPP, Mr. Kofi Boateng, confirmed the assertions to this paper noting, “What you have heard was nothing more than an emphasis that we should vote, because there are no signs that we are going to vote. Our people here are disappointed and they feel betrayed.”

He continued that since both the Electoral Commission (EC) and the government, had not settled on a definite date, on which the law would be applied, the party members felt that such a law would not see the light of the day.

Mr. Boateng, who was one of the three members who took the matter to court, contended further that he would continue to champion the cause of party members, to ensure that the law was implemented.

According to him, they were currently considering another option of how to put pressure on the EC to make sure that the law was implemented.

“Yes the people are disappointed, but we are patiently waiting for the soccer fever to be over, and we will consider additional suit in court,” he told this paper from his US base.

Sources indicate further that the tour of the United States, which was led by the Chairman of the US branch of the NPP, Mr. Kofi Boateng, accompanied by Mr. Ben Afrifa, 1st Vice Chairman of the New York Chapter, Mr. Boye Laryea, Greater Accra Regional Financial Secretary and Adjei Sowah, Odododiodioo parliamentary candidate of the party, to give a report on the just-ended congress, expressed disappointment over the reaction of the diaporans.

Members were generally happy about the turn of events at the congress, and more importantly the election of Nana Akuffo Addo, who they have always see as an active supporter of their branch.

Apart from the fact that they were pleased with the election of Nana Addo, they however were disappointed with the government on the implementation of the ROPAL.

They claimed that, two years after the bill was passed into law, the government had dragged its feet and failed to openly declare its position, on when the law would be effective, adding that “the EC has 'cunningly' hidden behind the silence created by government.”

In Boston for instance, the anger of the people was noted to have reached its apex.

For this reason, Mr. Boateng stressed “we will reject, with full force, any attempt to disenfranchise us come 2008 election”.

According to him, the window of opportunity, under PNDC Law 282, given to people serving on diplomatic missions, security officers and government-sponsored students, has been scrapped by the passage of ROPAL, and therefore gives everyone an equal right to vote.

At all the meetings, in places like New York, Boston and Washington DC, the party members unanimously expressed their disgust, and were planning to go to the Supreme Court to enforce the implementation of the law.

This was because, an earlier suit filed by the National Chairman and two others, a year ago, had still not been called for hearing, and this confirmed their belief that there were invincible hands frustrating the process.

Serving a warning notice, through the two emissaries from Ghana, Mr. Boateng on behalf of party members declared, “nothing will stop us from ensuring that we cast our votes.”

Kofi Boateng, who confirmed the story, re-echoed the sentiments of party members, and noted that the agitations become more when members want to know their fate.

“We have followed Ghana@50 and CAN 2008, with our contributions, and so we want to participate in the decision process.”

According to him, the party members could not understand why the law had been passed, yet there were no signs to indicate that Ghanaians outside the nation would have the chance to participate in the election process.