A Fellow of the Center for Democratic Development (CDD), Ghana, Dr John Osae-Kwapong has expressed worry over a Minister saying that development is dependent on partisan politics.
Speaking on JoyNews AM Show on Tuesday, April 23, he said the Roads and Highways Minister suggesting that only persons aligned with government can benefit from development is unfortunate.
Dr Osae-Kwapong said the statement implies that development is contingent on partisan political allegiance, stressing that this is not the intended function of democratic governance.
On Monday, April 22, Francis Asenso Boakye told some Ejisu constituents that voting for an independent candidate in the upcoming parliamentary by-election might lead to less development.
But Dr Osae-Kwapong said, after elections, governments should focus on development for all regardless of party affiliations.
According to him, governments must strive to transcend partisan politics in service of the nation.
“And so, if you are saying that an independent person cannot come to your office to lobby for roads for their constituency, I find that very worrying because the person represents constituents.
“The person is representing the people of Ejisu and if government's interest is in promoting development for Ghanaians of which the people of Ejisu are part then it should not matter who is representing them in parliament. That is not how we want to pursue development.
“We do not want to do our politics that way but yes as part of political campaigning, you want to throw in some things that cause voters to rethink a choice."
Dr Osae-Kwapong stated that government should focus on implementing national development agendas and ensuring that all constituents are properly represented in parliament, regardless of whether they are represented by an independent candidate.
He emphasised that if a constituency requires developmental projects such as roads, government should address those needs, regardless of the political affiliation of the representative.
“And so to say that it shut the door to them for me is both a worrying and rather unfortunate statement”.
Latest Stories
-
Minority demands reversal of hiked dialysis treatment cost
52 mins -
Akufo-Addo pledges commitment to finding killers of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale
1 hour -
Bodies of 3 hostages recovered, Israel says
1 hour -
MTN Ghana drives sustainable development through digital innovation
4 hours -
Eric Otchere: Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams: Apostle of Strategic Prayer
5 hours -
Bawumia is a man of action who delivers on his promises – Upper East Imams and Zongo Chiefs
9 hours -
Parliament approves Akufo-Addo’s ministerial nominees
11 hours -
StarLife Assurance supports Global Evangelical Mission Hospital with medical supplies
12 hours -
Benjies outdoors catchy thematic narrative on debut EP ‘TRI’
12 hours -
Skin and body enhancement, the emerging cause of hypertension
13 hours -
Bawumia vows to prioritise Pwalugu Dam project and tackle energy challenges with solar power
13 hours -
Bleaching and body enhancement creams can cause hypertension – Dr Tanor
14 hours -
Bobby Banson urges separation of Attorney General and the Minister of Justice offices
14 hours -
It’s possible for Cedi to hit GH¢20 against the dollar – Sammy Gyamfi teases Bawumia’s 2024 polls slogan
14 hours -
Tamale North MP accuses Akufo-Addo of scheming to oust Kissi Agyebeng from office
15 hours