The Member of Parliament for Builsa North has downplayed Akufo-Addo’s intention to initiate legislation on party militia if dialogue fails. 

In a discussion on the AM Show on the Joy News channel, Tuesday, James Agalga’s argued that President Nana Akufo-Addo will be in a fix since he does not want to open party militia meeting to wider participation.

His argument is based on the trade of letter between his party, the opposition NDC, and the President.

In his third State of the Nation Address, President Akufo-Addo directed the two main political parties in the country; the NPP and NDC to meet and dialogue on disbanding the militia groups affiliated to their party.

Agalga appeared on the AM Show on  Tuesday

“…if voluntary disbandment by the parties is not feasible, I would initiate legislation into the matter,” Akufo-Addo said to loud applause.

But more than two weeks after that, the meeting hasn’t taken place.

While the NDC wants the Peace Council, civil society and the media and possibly international peace bodies to be part of the process, the President is adamant.

He replied the NDC National Chairman’s letter describing the request to include the other players as lacking basis.

The President reiterated his stance in his Independence Day speech on March 6.

He said both parties have garnered about 95 per cent of the votes cast since the beginning of the 4th Republic and can solve the matter by themselves.

Some have argued that the President may take credit from getting legislation passed on the matter if the dialogue fails.

But James Agalga finds that interesting.

In his argument, he stated that going the path of legislation will bring Akufo-Addo back to consulting other stakeholders; which is what he is already not agreeing to.

He explained that legislation cannot be passed without Parliament consulting the relevant stakeholders and in this case, the Peace Council would be consulted should Akufo-Addo decide to get legislation passed.

He added that the legislation is not needed at all.

“What we need is the political will to deal with this matter once and for all,” he said.

On his part, Majority MP, Ato Panford who was also on the show, disagreed with his colleague.

According to the Shama MP, if the NDC would agree to dialogue with the NPP alone, there would be no need to include others.

He agreed that the legislation would need the input of stakeholders but said there would be no need for that level if the dialogue between NPP and NDC succeed.