National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary Aspirant, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, says it is rather erroneous to expect a political party to pay its workers.
According to him, working for a political party is voluntary work and thus, people should not expect to receive a monthly salary as part of their job.
He was speaking in relation to some comments made by an NDC flagbearer aspirant, Dr. Duffuor, who said the base of the party was weakened due to lack of funds.
He subsequently launched the Ahotor programme to help fund the party’s base through the provision of, among other things, stipends for party branch workers.
Reacting to the statement, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah noted that while the gesture is commendable, it is not a requirement for party executives to be paid since work done is voluntary.
“The party is made up of volunteers, okay. We’re all volunteers, nobody pays us. I was a full-time lecturer at UPSA when I was Deputy General Secretary. Nobody gets paid, it’s voluntary,” he said on JoyNews’ PM Express.
He continued, “And this is how the party has been run on voluntary basis. If you want to introduce innovation, how do we fund our party? That is a conversation that has been going on continuous, and you know I’m an advocate for us looking at how we fund political parties, something that I’m very passionate about.
“But you cannot come to a general conclusion and say branch executives are not paid. When you’re campaigning for a position, you don’t advocate that you should be paid, it’s voluntary. It’s just like any other voluntary organization.”
He added that while it is “simplistic posturing” to expect that party branch executives get paid, there are various ways in which party branch managers can fund their activities.
“There’s a world of a difference between saying you want to help finance the party through various activities and saying party branch executives are not paid. So what about those who go and vote, should they be paid?
“So you see, it’s a very very simplistic posturing to take that we don’t pay the branches, we don’t pay them. But of course they do a lot of activities that require funding, that’s why at any given time when it comes to elections, people make donations, sell paraphernalia and those things.
“And indeed when he brought this project, we welcomed it that it was good. The only issue is the modalities; there have been misunderstanding about how it should be implemented. So I don’t think this should be the main focus of our discussion,” he told host, Evans Mensah.
Latest Stories
-
IGP shares Easter safety tips on Adom FM’s ‘Ofie Kwanso’
6 mins -
Ebo Whyte offers fully-funded trip as he unveils new play ‘Dubai or No Sex’
18 mins -
Ancient culture of Anlo Kingdom: Exploring “Torkor Atorlia,” the fifth landing stage’s old ways of punishment
33 mins -
Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Botswana, Cameroon and Sierra Leone to lead discussions at Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) 4th Country & Stakeholder Symposium
1 hour -
Network International Delivers Strong 2023 Revenue growth at 15% y/y and free cashflow growth of 16% y/y
1 hour -
President Akufo-Addo extends Easter Greetings to Ghanaians, urges safe drive
1 hour -
Government pushes for use of more local materials in housing, other infrastructure projects
2 hours -
Dr Bawumia extends Easter greetings to Christians
2 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘Ghanaians should expect victory against Stade Malien’ – Dreams FC forward Ishmael Dede
2 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘We want to go there and win’ – Karim Zito on Stade Malian clash
3 hours -
Togbe Adzie Lãkle Howusu XII endorses youth leadership as New Force Movement gains momentum
3 hours -
Public Utility Workers Union appeals to PURC to address power crisis
4 hours -
Anbariya loses another appeal in Kumasi as Appeal Court ratifies High Court ruling against the Islamic Institute
4 hours -
Highway construction health hazard: Ofankor-Pokuase-Nsawam residents appeal for dust relief
4 hours -
SuperJazzClub releases its first single of the year ‘Off’
4 hours