Private Legal Practitioner, Samson Anyenini, says any amendments to make local level election partisan will be shot in the foot because it would further worsen the country’s already polarized political system that enjoys monopoly by the two dominant parties.
He said to break the cycle, Ghana has to invest and strengthen empowerment of marginalised groups such as disabled persons to take part in local governance.
Lawyer Anyenini, who expressed concern over monetization of elections, noted amendment to article 55(3) was not a panacea to breaking the winner takes all system, stating there are no scientific basis for making such conclusions.
He warned: “attempts to make local elections partisan would only endorse and strengthen the two major political parties to dominate assemblies, a situation detrimental to national cohesion”.
Lawyer Anyenini maintained that Ghana stands to gain when assembly election remain non-partisan. Lawyer Anyenini was speaking at “We the People”, a monthly local governance programme organised by the Ghana Journalists Association, GJA, in partnership with the STAR –GHANA Foundation.
Topic discussed was the suspended referendum to amend article 55(3), and lessons for Ghana. The show, was the final edition of the first phase of the ‘’We the People’’ platform. While expressing disappointment at the approach President Akufo Addo used in calling off the referendum, Lawyer Anyenini indicated the president lacked support from his own party members.
Story filed by Rachael Kakraba.