CPP MPs solicit support for Bill

Accra, Feb. 2, GNA - The parliamentary caucus of the Convention People's Party (CPP), on Wednesday solicited public support for the passage of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, currently before the legislature.

The three MPs who are to face the party's Disciplinary Committee on Friday for acts, which according to the Central Committee sought to tarnish the image of the party, urged the public to defend the Constitution and adhere to the tenets of democratic norms.

Addressing a Public Forum organised to educate CPP members about matters of national interest, the three - Mr Freddie Blay, First Deputy Speaker and MP for Ellembele, Dr Paa Kwasi Nduom, MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem and Minister of State in Charge of Public Sector Reforms and Mr Kojo Armah, MP for Evalue-Gwira, kicked against "the culture of intolerance and calls for mayhem".

Mr Blay urged the public to stand against any individual or group of persons who wanted to "turn the country upside down," saying "For any person or group of persons to threaten mayhem is unacceptable and we must all stand against them as the era of threats and beating war drums are over."

The First Deputy Speaker said the strength and beauty of democracy laid in the power of choice and that society should not allow persons who did not subscribe to the tents of democracy to take advantage of the freedoms guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution to subvert it. Mr Armah said the implementation of the Bill, once passed, would be in the ambit of the Electoral Commission (EC), the body charged with the conduct of elections in the country.

Dr Nduom urged the party hierarchy to educate members on various national issues, stressing that such education would enhance the CPP's chances in elections.

He said the members had not benefited from any educational fora organised by the party, especially on national issues and that the forum sought to offer members the opportunity to interact with their MPs. He said: "We are also making a point today that we need as a party to engage in the substance of national issues and not just talk about personalities or individual positions.

Some of the participants, mainly students of the University of Ghana, Legon and from other parts of the metropolis, expressed various misgivings about government's interest in seeing the bill through Parliament and other challenges, while others felt it did not deserve the priority attention it was receiving. Wing Commander (Rtd.) Pat Sogbordjor chaired the forum. 2 Feb. 06