Maintain appointment of DCEs - Holland Branch NPP

Saltpond (C/R), June 17, GNA - The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Executive in Holland have called on the Constitution Review Commission to maintain the appointment of District Chief Executives by the President. They, however, suggested to the Commission to make only the elected members of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to vote for the endorsement of the Chief Executives, while the appointed members should be excluded from voting.

Mr Francis Ejaku Donkoh, Central Regional Youth Organizer of the Party, disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency at Saltpond on his return from Holland where he met supporters of the Party and briefed them on some developments in Ghana.

Mr Donkoh, who is also Assembly member for the Nkubem Electoral Area of Saltpond, was in Holland to observe the Dutch elections which were held last week.

He said the NPP in Holland suggested that no ceiling should be placed on the number of Parliamentarians to be appointed as ministers of state. He said according to Mr Kobby Annan, Chairman of the Netherlands branch of the Party, the President must be given a free hand in the appointment of his ministers.

Mr Donkoh said Mr Annan suggested that the power of the Attorney-General to prosecute corruption and other financial crimes by public office holders must be taken away and invested in Commissions responsible for the investigation of financial malfeasance. He said the Chairman appealed to supporters of the Party to elect marketable candidates for the flagbearership position in the delegates conference slated for August this year and also urged those who had turned 18 years of age to register.

Mr Donkor entreated party members living abroad not to forget their roots and to contribute towards the building of the party in their constituencies at home. He said he advised them to take keen interest in events at home, not only in politics but also in other spheres of development. The Regional Youth Organizer pledged to share the experience he had gathered in the Dutch elections with the youth of the party in Ghana to enhance their campaign strategy for the 2012 general elections.