CPP tag Election 2012 stage for electoral paradigm shift

The Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) on Monday tagged Election 2012 as stage for electoral paradigm shift to end the emerging eight-year rule of governments under the forth republic which systematically is breeding complacency among the two leading parties.

“Election 2012 offers Ghanaians and the electorate an opportunity to take a bold political step to terminate the eight-year tradition as well as the alternation of political power between the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“The CPP is ready to offer Ghanaians a new era of leadership and government to meet the needs of the people through selfless, establish a strong society, re-activate the sense of self-determination and self-mobilization,” Mr. Issahaque Suleman, CPP Parliamentary Aspirant for Wa Central told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.

He said the eight-year rule as well as the alternation of power between the NDC and NPP had created a culture of impunity among the rank and file of the two parties, “Ghana is the loser, we must use Election 2012 to send a strong signal to the two parties that governance is about meeting the welfare of the people”.

He urged the electorate to evaluate the CPP based on its record in government under its leaders Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Dr. Hilla Limann; “Ghana was transformed under these two CPP governments as they served the nation with dedication and selflessness”.

Mr. Suleman said the CPP, being the first party to launch its Election 2012 manifesto, had demonstrated to the electorate that it was not about power of who could make the loudest noise but campaign based on issues.

Touching on the CPP manifesto, he said the party had brought to the fore the issues of empowering the decentralization and local government systems.

He said a CPP government would ensure the election of District Chief Executives within two years of coming into office; abolish the government appointees to the district assemblies and propose an increase of the District Assembly Common Fund from the current 7.5 per cent to 12.5 per cent.

To ensure transparency in governance, a CPP government according to Mr Suleman, would require all district assemblies to publish monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and management reports.

“We will encourage local authorities to adopt participatory budgeting to enhance citizen’s participation in local governance,” he said.

He said CPP would also adopt more effective affirmative action programmes that would allow women to increase their representation at national decision-making levels.

Mr. Suleman said affirmative action legislation would be mandatory, actionable and a basis for monitoring and holding public organizations to performance.

He said, “I offer the best opportunity for the people of Wa Central as their Member of Parliament and am very confident that the electorate would vote massively for me to represent them in the next Parliament”.

He called on the electorate to vote massively for Dr. Michael Abu Sakara Foster, CPP flag bearer for Election 2012 and the party’s parliamentary candidates.**