The leader of the opposition People's National Convention Dr Edward Mahama is advocating a strong political opposition to the creation of thirty new constituencies by the Electoral Commission ahead of December's general elections.
The decision to create new constituencies has been widely criticised by the opposition parties. But so far they failed to take any concrete steps to block the move. Opponents of the new constituencies say it is a ploy to give the ruling party an advantage in the next parliament. And speaking to the Daily Graphic, Dr Mahama called for in his words,” the unity of all opposition parties ....... as a strategy for unseating the NPP in this year's election".
He spoke to Joy News anchor Akwesi Sarpong who first asked him why he's calling for an alliance to oppose the creation of the new constituencies instead of going to court.
"Believe me I personally think if we go to court we lose it I hope the chief justice and his people do not take me or don't blacklist me. Our judicial system has to prove that they are independently working. Its not long ago when the judicial service or judicial system said that Mr. Kwame Pianim had attempted to stage a coup and was not qualified to be president. President Rawlings had staged several coups and he was president. That same judicial service was going to make decision, I won't go there because I don't think that we can get justice. That haven't shown me at the moment that they are independent and that political decision like that will be taken in favour of the government.
*Dr Mahama you are suggesting that there is nothing really you can do about it because you don't trust the courts. You don't reckon you have enough forces to oppose this idea?
No!! look opposing political decision in parliament is one thing. We can organse other ways of opposing politically.
*Would you gang up on the streets and demonstrate with your allies?
If we decide that this is the best thing to stop the creation of the extra constituencies, I will walk again as a member I walked on the street against the NDC economic hardships. I wouldn't mind walking against something that is not in the interest of the nation.
*Have you talked to any of the political parties about walking, about demonstrating?
There have been informal discussions, we have talked to people but not at the official level. Fundamentally we all agree that it is not in the interest of the nation. The PNC has however not drawn up any official proposal to all the political parties to discuss this. At this stage, we just want to consider the plan as that, an announcement. Once the EC makes concrete moves, we would know exactly what we are going to do.
*So you are looking for a political alliance to oppose the setting up of the thirty new constituencies?
Yes
*Would you extend this alliance to the 2004 general elections and with whom are you going to do that?
If it is going to be necessary to do that and kick the NPP out of power, then we will do it. I don't think Ghanaians are eager to return the NPP to power.
The leader of the opposition People's National Convention Dr Edward Mahama is advocating a strong political opposition to the creation of thirty new constituencies by the Electoral Commission ahead of December's general elections.
The decision to create new constituencies has been widely criticised by the opposition parties. But so far they failed to take any concrete steps to block the move. Opponents of the new constituencies say it is a ploy to give the ruling party an advantage in the next parliament. And speaking to the Daily Graphic, Dr Mahama called for in his words,” the unity of all opposition parties ....... as a strategy for unseating the NPP in this year's election".
He spoke to Joy News anchor Akwesi Sarpong who first asked him why he's calling for an alliance to oppose the creation of the new constituencies instead of going to court.
"Believe me I personally think if we go to court we lose it I hope the chief justice and his people do not take me or don't blacklist me. Our judicial system has to prove that they are independently working. Its not long ago when the judicial service or judicial system said that Mr. Kwame Pianim had attempted to stage a coup and was not qualified to be president. President Rawlings had staged several coups and he was president. That same judicial service was going to make decision, I won't go there because I don't think that we can get justice. That haven't shown me at the moment that they are independent and that political decision like that will be taken in favour of the government.
*Dr Mahama you are suggesting that there is nothing really you can do about it because you don't trust the courts. You don't reckon you have enough forces to oppose this idea?
No!! look opposing political decision in parliament is one thing. We can organse other ways of opposing politically.
*Would you gang up on the streets and demonstrate with your allies?
If we decide that this is the best thing to stop the creation of the extra constituencies, I will walk again as a member I walked on the street against the NDC economic hardships. I wouldn't mind walking against something that is not in the interest of the nation.
*Have you talked to any of the political parties about walking, about demonstrating?
There have been informal discussions, we have talked to people but not at the official level. Fundamentally we all agree that it is not in the interest of the nation. The PNC has however not drawn up any official proposal to all the political parties to discuss this. At this stage, we just want to consider the plan as that, an announcement. Once the EC makes concrete moves, we would know exactly what we are going to do.
*So you are looking for a political alliance to oppose the setting up of the thirty new constituencies?
Yes
*Would you extend this alliance to the 2004 general elections and with whom are you going to do that?
If it is going to be necessary to do that and kick the NPP out of power, then we will do it. I don't think Ghanaians are eager to return the NPP to power.
