Should Former Presidents In Ghana Be Party Members?

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Frank Mensah, Tikobo No. 2 13 years ago

They were party members before they became presidents. They were - presumably - voted on the principles of the party. Should they abandon their parties after riding on their shoulders?

They were party members before they became presidents. They were - presumably - voted on the principles of the party. Should they abandon their parties after riding on their shoulders?
MAMATNAM 12 years ago

WE ARE TIRED OF THESE NPP NONSENSE

WE ARE TIRED OF THESE NPP NONSENSE
MATIGARI 12 years ago

POLITICAL PARTIES ARE VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS AND MEMBERS JOIN THEM WITH THE SOLE AIM OF PROPPAGATING THEIR COMMON IDEAS FOR WINNING POLITICAAL POWER. ANY LEGISLATION THAT ATTEMPTS TO STOP PEOPLE FROM JOINING A PARTY OR FORCE ...
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POLITICAL PARTIES ARE VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS AND MEMBERS JOIN THEM WITH THE SOLE AIM OF PROPPAGATING THEIR COMMON IDEAS FOR WINNING POLITICAAL POWER. ANY LEGISLATION THAT ATTEMPTS TO STOP PEOPLE FROM JOINING A PARTY OR FORCES THEM OUT OF THEM MUST BE TRAMPLING ON THEIR RIGHT AND FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION. SHOULD PEOPLE BE STOPPED FROM ATTENDING CHURCHES OF THEIR CHOICE BECAUSE THEY BECOME PRESIDENTS?
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 12 years ago

First, I am a bit confused about the understanding of point three that "the decision of the Supreme Court then overrides anything that has been done by the President prior to the decision". That is not accurate because whatev ...
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First, I am a bit confused about the understanding of point three that "the decision of the Supreme Court then overrides anything that has been done by the President prior to the decision". That is not accurate because whatever actions and omissions of the President prior to a decision by the Supreme Court (in favour the challenge) remain valid, legal and constitutional. The decision of the SC does not override such actions and omissions but the President cease to be President forthwith unless otherwise directed by the SC.

Now to your substantive question. My simple answer is, a big NO. Because what you are proposing will require a constitutional amendment and a referendum because the "freedom of association" guranteed under 1992 Constitution is entrenched. It would also be unconstitutional to ban any Ghanaian citizen from belonging to a legal association or group, be it a political party or not. Third, Ghana would have deprived future political leaders of learning directly from the rich of experience of former Presidents. Fourth, that would put a barrier on the ability of former Presidents to contribute to the development of party politics as well as their contribution to democratic dispensation in Ghana.

Just imagine if Bill Clinton could not have made any contribution to Obama's re-election campaign because he had been banned from belonging to the Democratic Party and party politics. To me his speech at the National Convention of the party helped Obama's recovery after his disappointed performance at the first Presidential Debate.

What is required is not a knee-jerk reaction to this historic petition at the SC by tempering with the Constitution but for former Presidents to put nation first and party second when it comes to matter of national affairs as Ex-President Kufuor has rightly decided to do.
ATSU, HO 12 years ago

WHAT WE NEED IN GHANA IS MORE POSITIVELY NEUTRAL PEOPLE. I MEAN PEOPLE WHO CAN SAY GOOD IS GOOD AND BAD IS BAD. THE FORMER PRESIDENTS CAN EASILY DO THAT, BUT WHEN THE PAST PRESIDENT OWNS THE PARTY WHAT HAPPENS?

WHAT WE NEED IN GHANA IS MORE POSITIVELY NEUTRAL PEOPLE. I MEAN PEOPLE WHO CAN SAY GOOD IS GOOD AND BAD IS BAD. THE FORMER PRESIDENTS CAN EASILY DO THAT, BUT WHEN THE PAST PRESIDENT OWNS THE PARTY WHAT HAPPENS?
AMA 12 years ago

Sorry, but we can't legislate every stupidity by desperate political parties. This is just common sense. Nobody should be held against their will. I thought the NPP said they were fighting for democracy, justice and peace. ...
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Sorry, but we can't legislate every stupidity by desperate political parties. This is just common sense. Nobody should be held against their will. I thought the NPP said they were fighting for democracy, justice and peace. They don't believe that individuals are entitled to these?
Oba Nyansani Baako Pe In Ghana! 12 years ago

You are tired of NPP so why don't you ignore them and live a peaceful life?

Have you seen how stupid you are? I hate Mahama so I don't think about him at all and I don't care about whatever he is doing whether it is good ...
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You are tired of NPP so why don't you ignore them and live a peaceful life?

Have you seen how stupid you are? I hate Mahama so I don't think about him at all and I don't care about whatever he is doing whether it is good or bad.
Princewilly@Ymail.com 13 years ago

Three brothers are traveling along a road, and their car dies. They all get out of the car, and start walking to a barn that's a little ways away. When they get their, the farmer comes out of the barn, and offers them a room ...
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Three brothers are traveling along a road, and their car dies. They all get out of the car, and start walking to a barn that's a little ways away. When they get their, the farmer comes out of the barn, and offers them a room for one night. He says to the first one, "You can sleep with the pigs," the second guy," you can sleep with the cows", and the third guy, "I like the cut of your jib. You can sleep with my 18 daughters." The next morning, he asks everyone how they slept. The first man said, "I slept like a pig." The second man said ,"I slept like a cow." The third guy said, "I slept like a rabbit. I jumped from hole, to hole, to hole.

If a President does not belong to a Political Party,he will be a whore and jumped from hole to hole like a Rabbit.
Its just like telling President Clinton and President Bush not to belong to the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.
Kwaku 13 years ago

Kufuor spread his bed so let him lie in it.

Kufuor spread his bed so let him lie in it.
CONCERN STUDENT 13 years ago

SOUTHERN STUDENTS TOO NEED FREE EDUCATION.WE CANT PAY SCHOOL FEES AGAIN.WHAT IS GOOD FOR OUR FELLOW NORTHERN STUDENTS IS ALSO GOOD FOR US TOO.

SOUTHERN STUDENTS TOO NEED FREE EDUCATION.WE CANT PAY SCHOOL FEES AGAIN.WHAT IS GOOD FOR OUR FELLOW NORTHERN STUDENTS IS ALSO GOOD FOR US TOO.

ogra 13 years ago

Concern student, get over it!!! We spend money educating NURSES in Ghana, and you have to pay a bribe to to get a stretcher/bed or be seen by a Dr.We are not at that point yet. There are more important things that ought to be ...
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Concern student, get over it!!! We spend money educating NURSES in Ghana, and you have to pay a bribe to to get a stretcher/bed or be seen by a Dr.We are not at that point yet. There are more important things that ought to be straightened out first,eg,Who is in charge of the Ghanaian Nurses council and registry??? Start firing the nurses to include all technicians in various departments and start setting those exxamples,and see if we dont correct this issues.Those out there are also taking the bribes,you are all playing GOD,with other peoples lives,and i hope when it is your turns in emergency,it will happen in a remote area where you'll die very slow deaths.
MOZATO 13 years ago

All parents in the South of Ghana should stop paying school fees of their kids until such a time that all students in every corner of the nation are equally treated fairly. Enough is Enough. Either free education for all or a ...
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All parents in the South of Ghana should stop paying school fees of their kids until such a time that all students in every corner of the nation are equally treated fairly. Enough is Enough. Either free education for all or abolish free education in the North. Nonsense. And any male Headteacher/Master who will stand in the way of this "positive defiance" should be neutered or castrated secretly.
KB ORIGINAL. 12 years ago

when they say no school fees do u know what they mean at all...have u considered boarding fees,and any other expenses to go to school, check on your next bill and see how much school fees you paying,workers still cant b paid ...
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when they say no school fees do u know what they mean at all...have u considered boarding fees,and any other expenses to go to school, check on your next bill and see how much school fees you paying,workers still cant b paid as at now how much stress do u think will come on the economy with extra expenses following.....ghana still owes we shd look for ways to pay our loans off...
afari kowinsani gyan 13 years ago

mahama is a rapist,adjaho also a rapist amissah arthur a gay hmmm.

mahama is a rapist,adjaho also a rapist amissah arthur a gay hmmm.
kodwo asante, Bronx NY 13 years ago

your views sound just as your name idiot

your views sound just as your name idiot
ogra 13 years ago

Yes,because,he belonged somewhere,and esp that party. He can choose to be independent if they keep disgracing themselves as we've all seen,i guess.

Yes,because,he belonged somewhere,and esp that party. He can choose to be independent if they keep disgracing themselves as we've all seen,i guess.
SAVIOUR 13 years ago

STUPID WRITER WITH A STUPID QUESTION. THEY DIDN'T BECOME PRESIDENTS ON THE TICKET OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, OCHERE?

STUPID WRITER WITH A STUPID QUESTION. THEY DIDN'T BECOME PRESIDENTS ON THE TICKET OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, OCHERE?
KB ORIGINAL. 12 years ago

and saviour u are thinking in one direction pls try to open your mind a little they paid their debt to the party during their time in power....by putting the parties ideas and being the face of your party....

and saviour u are thinking in one direction pls try to open your mind a little they paid their debt to the party during their time in power....by putting the parties ideas and being the face of your party....
nii 13 years ago

This is the only sensible thing I have read fron U so far.

This is the only sensible thing I have read fron U so far.
MR. FIGURE- OUT 13 years ago

The NPP stance on Kuffour's predicament is premised on the type of dirty propaganda politics of the communication dogs of the NDC who always read negative meanings into a genuine cause just to please their hate mongering supp ...
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The NPP stance on Kuffour's predicament is premised on the type of dirty propaganda politics of the communication dogs of the NDC who always read negative meanings into a genuine cause just to please their hate mongering supporters and to throw dust onto the eyes of the irrationally gullible populace. Even before the supreme court could come out with its verdict on the allegedly shabbily collusion of notorious Afari Gyan and his recklessly rude members of the EC to have rigged the elections in favor of Mahama, we have some uncouth rented press, in the like of the Al Hajj Newspaper and the Daily Post, churned out a polished piece of "agenda 2016" apologist propaganda for Allan Kyeremateng who is widely perceived to be Kuffour's protege'. I sincerely believe the NPP, being more democratic than any political entity on the land, would have had no qualms at all, having their functionaries present at the inauguration but, to them, it could be interpreted as playing directly into the gallery of the propaganda tooling machinery of the NDC which they(NPP) are trying to avoid.

Ross 13 years ago

How did they become presidents.
Travel and see

How did they become presidents.
Travel and see
Ross 13 years ago

Writer reads his own article

Writer reads his own article
Akwasi Frimpong 13 years ago

I think it is an innovative suggestion. There is no point insulting the writer. Indeed, once voted to become a President a person becomes the father or mother of all. The relationship continues post service. Therefore, I see ...
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I think it is an innovative suggestion. There is no point insulting the writer. Indeed, once voted to become a President a person becomes the father or mother of all. The relationship continues post service. Therefore, I see some innovative thinking in the write-up. Give your opinion, but don't insult, please!
discipline holland 13 years ago

YES YES YES MR DARKO IF ONLY THE FORMER PRESIDENT GO ONCE AGAIN ON A PLATFORM TO DENOUNCE HIS MEMBERSHIP. THANK U

YES YES YES MR DARKO IF ONLY THE FORMER PRESIDENT GO ONCE AGAIN ON A PLATFORM TO DENOUNCE HIS MEMBERSHIP. THANK U
KB ORIGINAL. 12 years ago

they used a party ticket to join the train of presidency i think they owe their parties some gratitude saying that doesnt mean they suppose to subject themselves to all decisions made by the party when it comes to matters con ...
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they used a party ticket to join the train of presidency i think they owe their parties some gratitude saying that doesnt mean they suppose to subject themselves to all decisions made by the party when it comes to matters concerning the country at large cos the system may have failed or not but mahama didnt pick up a gun to become president he was declared and until it can b proven as not so he has to be there Kuffuor do your work.....
Ghanaba in Germany 12 years ago

Until the Supreme Court decides otherwise, the President-elect can, and should be sworn-in in accordance with the Constitution and other laws of the land;
The time lap between the Supreme Court deciding otherwise and swearin ...
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Until the Supreme Court decides otherwise, the President-elect can, and should be sworn-in in accordance with the Constitution and other laws of the land;
The time lap between the Supreme Court deciding otherwise and swearing-in of the President-elect is too narrow. There should have be a provision that: Whereby a citizen petitioned the Supreme Court, all swearing in of a President-elect suspense until the Supreme Court clears the air (other words decides.) And there should be a stipulated time cap for the Supreme Court also to take to decide the allegation or the petition.
OTCHERE DARKO 12 years ago

I wrote once that the EC should hold Ghana's elections at least three months before the taking over of power of the new administration.

If that was the case, it would have been possible for sorting out election disputes be ...
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I wrote once that the EC should hold Ghana's elections at least three months before the taking over of power of the new administration.

If that was the case, it would have been possible for sorting out election disputes before the swearing in of the President-elect and the Supreme Court court rule on any case affecting the election of the President.

The 1992 Constitution has many weaknesses and these weaknesses are affecting the smooth transition of one administration to another.
K K 12 years ago

They ARE party members.

They ARE party members.
YOWZA 12 years ago

The incumbent president must look after the affairs of the nation during and after an election. Now whereby there is a dispute after an election, the swear in must be held while the incumbent president continues till after th ...
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The incumbent president must look after the affairs of the nation during and after an election. Now whereby there is a dispute after an election, the swear in must be held while the incumbent president continues till after the rules. This means that there is no vacuum of the presidency. This being the case, if there were election results that are before the courts as we have now, the incumbent president stays on as the president and no swear in should take place until after the supreme courts declaration, and in this way there is no vacuum of the presidency.
Our forefathers did not anticipate that an election results could be challenged.
This 1992 constitution should be on the table for a review.
We some of the smart lawyers on the globe, so how did we ever get this way?
OTCHERE DARKO 12 years ago

I agree with you, Yowza that "this 1992 Constitution should be on the table for a review".

The constitution flamers were "short-sighted". They should have anticipated that this kind of challenge could happen.

Thus, t ...
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I agree with you, Yowza that "this 1992 Constitution should be on the table for a review".

The constitution flamers were "short-sighted". They should have anticipated that this kind of challenge could happen.

Thus, they should have said that in a situation where the Presidential elections are challenged, the incumbent must continue to be President in a care-taker role until the Supreme Court decides the challenge.

Good suggestion!!!!

Whatever 12 years ago

Maybe the NPP need to be reminded that ex-president Kufour recieves monthly salary out of the state coffers for his upkeep. That right must go with the responsibility of being a statesman.

Maybe the NPP need to be reminded that ex-president Kufour recieves monthly salary out of the state coffers for his upkeep. That right must go with the responsibility of being a statesman.
Chief amankwa 12 years ago

Until Ghana understand Africa can not copy cat European because our circumstances are different

Until Ghana understand Africa can not copy cat European because our circumstances are different
Lawrence 12 years ago

Mr.Darko, don´t feel sorry for Kufour! Until our leaders lean to act in the right directions,they will continue to be caricatures of themselves as Kufour is.You see,to some extend, the irate supporters of the NPP are right a ...
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Mr.Darko, don´t feel sorry for Kufour! Until our leaders lean to act in the right directions,they will continue to be caricatures of themselves as Kufour is.You see,to some extend, the irate supporters of the NPP are right and have a point.Here is the man who incited them against the EC prior to the creation of constituences,most of which has been won by the NPP.Here is the man who has threatened blood,should the elections went against the NPP.Here is the man who was the very first person to reject the results of the elections,even at the time when they were going round looking for evidence.Then here is the man who is going to attend the inauguration of a president whom he accused to have rigged the elections.In all of these situations,what kind of message was he sending out to those boys? It is about time they learned to behave as true Statemen.
Chris Dzumador 12 years ago

I see the angle you are coming from
but immediately such an amendment is made we will have worse situations than we facing now. So let it for the presidents will be look at as rejecting the hands that fed you during your te ...
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I see the angle you are coming from
but immediately such an amendment is made we will have worse situations than we facing now. So let it for the presidents will be look at as rejecting the hands that fed you during your teething age.
william 12 years ago

Thanks for your interesting piece.I see reason with the arguments advanced but the remedy in the conclusion is far-fetched! The constitution need not come in here. It is for the statesman himself to conduct himself in such a ...
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Thanks for your interesting piece.I see reason with the arguments advanced but the remedy in the conclusion is far-fetched! The constitution need not come in here. It is for the statesman himself to conduct himself in such a way as to strongly convey the message that he is above party politics!( Former President Rawlings has recently tried with reasonable success to portray that, compelled by circumstance!) Secondly the party leadership must play their leadership role of communicating correctly with their rank and file and cease inciting(directly or indirectly)some of the party foot soldiers!1+1=2. Former President Kufuor (and spouse) invited as a former President and not NPP representative and will attend as such, period. All we need is for party leadership to cut the drama!

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Should Former Presidents In Ghana Be Party Members?

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