Mahama unhappy about winner takes all

President John Dramani Mahama, on Monday, said that the winner takes all in Ghana's political dispensation was not helpful as the government and opposition remained parallel even after elections.

He said the current trend of democracy in the world needed the cooperation of both government and the opposition to fine-tune the constitutional demands of the people.

President Mahama said the growing urbanization of Ghana needed more socio-economic infrastructure that would improve the lives of the people and said the country need concerted efforts and cooperation from all citizens, to achieve development.

The president made these remarks when he joined more than 500 senior citizens at a luncheon at the State Banquet Hall, in Accra, to commemorate the 53rd Republic Day in Ghana.

President Mahama called on all stakeholders of the country's constitution to take a look at how best the trend could be ameliorated to support the government to strengthen institutions.

The president promised to constitute a committee that would ensure that individuals do not dissipate state resources that had over the years been a source of worry to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

He explained that the Auditor-General's report had over the years revealed serious financial malpractices, and hoped that the committee would help to stem the practice that was draining the national coffers.

On payment of pensions, President Mahama gave the assurance that the government would continue to work out strategies that would bring massive improvement in the system to lessen the plight of pensioners throughout the country.

Nana Oye Mansa Yeboaa, representative of the Senior Citizens, appealed to the government to amend the article on chieftaincy to give adequate recognition to Queenmothers that had not been captured in the constitution.

She argued that the current trend was silent on the nomination, election and enstoolment of queenmothers and the amendment would provide recognition to them in their localities.

The attainment of the Republic status three years after Ghana's independence in 1957, also gave Ghanaians the opportunity to institute new civic traditions where the National Assembly (Parliament) saw a new mace, and Ghanaian cloth replaced wigs and robes.

The attainment of Republican status also created national award schemes that recognize excellence, dedication and selfless service to Ghana over the years.