A Governance Expert with the Institute for Democratic and Economic Governance, Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey has said the President’s handling of the issue of the minister-aspirants is wrong.
Eight ministers wishing to succeed President Kufuor have resigned after they were asked to choose between their jobs and their presidential ambitions.
They have up to the end of next week’s Africa Union Summit to be held in Accra to vacate office.
President Kufuor’s directive is said to be supported by the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) constitution and was part of amendments introduced at its annual congress in Cape Coast in 2003.
Speaking in an interview with Joy News, Dr. Akwetey said the decision would have implications in the governance of the country and must not be determined by the NPP constitution.
He told Joy News’ Israel Laryea that much as it might have been taken in the national interest it could prove counter productive.
“In making this decision the NPP puts its interest above the nation. I say that because they did not make the decision when they were in opposition. They made the decision when they were in government and therefore they had the full view of how the needs of running the State ought to take precedence over that of the party,” he said.
He said: “We should not forget that these ministers, the State has invested a lot in them … do you take them out one year ahead of the elections and say well the party’s constitution say this and what is the State constitution saying?”
Dr. Akwetey suggested that the NPP as a party should go back to congress to review that aspect of the party’s constitution as well as assess the impact on the nation.
He said to help the nation such minister-aspirants could be granted leave of absence to go and contest. He added it would enable them to always come back to serve while the winner fully concentrates on his presidential ambitions.
“There are a number of ministers you really want to keep in your cabinet; after they have competed and lost they can come back and serve…those who succeed have to necessarily resign to concentrate on what they have to do.”
