By Rebecca Ekpe
A Former Running Mate of the New Force Movement, Dr. Maryam Esaka Kriesie has broken her silence after the 2024 general election with a Christmas message calling on Ghanaians to be tolerant and extend a hand of kindness to vulnerable people in their communities.
She spoke in an exclusive interview with Rebecca Ekpe, where she also shared her views on recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee (CRC), regarding campaign financing and the tenure of the presidency. She also plans to launch a foundation next year.
‘’So, I have not been prominently in the media spotlight since the 2024 elections, you are right, but I’ve remained quite active and engaged on various platforms behind the scenes. I mean, for instance, I joined civil society on various engagements focused on the issue of campaign financing reform aimed at promoting greater transparency in our electoral processes’’, Dr. Esaka Kriesie posited.
Views on CRC recommendations:
On the CRC recommendations, Dr. Esaka Kriesie said she would opt for the five-year tenure proposed for the presidency as opposed to the current four-year term.
‘’I find that very, very important. I mean, I think that five years, it’s really not out of place,’’ she noted.
Dr. Esaka Kriesie’s position is that five years would allow room for more work to be done.
‘’If you look at the fact that mostly the first year is used to, you know, kind of get the government’s acting in place, so, I mean, nothing much is really achieved in the first year, I think that in my opinion, it will be in order to make it a five-year term rather than a four year one’’, the former Running Mate of the New Force Movement articulated.
Campaign Financing:
Dr. Esaka Kriesie also shared her views on campaign financing.
‘’With the campaign financing, really, they are very interesting issues that were very concerning for those of us who were the smaller part, so far, we have been very much concerned about the fact that they are just sort of two major political parties, so to speak, and we felt that a smaller party should also be given the opportunity to also compete on a more level playing field’’, she noted.
The Former Running Mate of the New Force Movement seemed to welcome recommendations of the CRC and looked forward to more stakeholder engagements by the Implementation Committee as hinted by President Mahama.
‘’And it looked like some of the policies and the reforms were actually geared at entrenching the leading positions of the two major parties, and we actually raised concerns about those issues., so, we are looking forward to some of the issues we raised being addressed so that we will indeed have a level playing field for all the political parties and not just focus on the two major parties’’, Dr. Esaka Kriesie said.
Christmas Message:
The Former Running Mate of the New Force Movement had a Christmas message for Ghanaians home and abroad, reminding us of the need to forge ahead beyond the challenges.
‘’I’ll say my beloved brothers and sisters and fellow citizens of Ghana, at home and abroad, a very warm Christmas greetings to you and your family, this time of the year fills our hearts with a spirit of love, hope and unity, reminding us of the bond that connects us as one people, regardless of our background or beliefs’’.
‘’Now, looking back so far on the year 2025, we have faced our share of challenges, but through resilience and collective effort, we have also witnessed moments of progress and growth’’ she posited.
She said we all have a reason to be thankful as 2025 draws to a close.
‘’Let us give thanks for the blessings we have received, the health of our families, the strength of our community and the enduring peace that prevails in our land, ‘’as we gather with our loved ones to share meals, stories and laughter, may we also remember those who are less fortunate, the sick in our hospitals, the dedicated workers ensuring our safety and well-being, and our brave men and women in uniform, serving at home and abroad. In the true essence of Christmas, I encourage us all to extend a hand of kindness to the vulnerable in our community.
Dr. Esaka Kriesie urged everyone to celebrate responsibly, be mindful, cherish moderation and ensure that the joy of the season does not turn to sorrow. She also encouraged the need to be peaceful and tolerant of each other’s views.
‘’As a nation, our diversity is our strength, let us continue to respect one another, uphold unity and work together, regardless of political differences’’, Dr. Esaka Kriesie intimated.
