IPP joins race for Flagstaff House

The newly-formed Independent Peoples’ Party (IPP), on Friday, joined a host of political parties in the country with an ambition to govern the people by putting their lives first “through technology,” following the official issuance of a certificate by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

The certificate of registration is in fulfillment of Section 8 Subsection II of the Political Party’s Act 574 of the 1992 Constitution. The Deputy Electoral Commission in-charge of Operations, Sarfo Kantanka, presented the certificate to the founder and aspiring flagbearer of the IPP, Kofi Akpaloo. He urged Mr. Akpaloo not to hold himself as a presidential candidate, having received the final certificate of registration until he puts his house in order, by first electing constituent executives, regional executives and national executives, to ensure the smooth operation of the party.

Mr. Akpaloo, moments after receiving the certificate, told journalists that the IPP was already one step ahead of some political parties, since the constituency, regional and national offices were ready to operate, but were restricted by the EC until it had received the final certificate of registration. “Now that we have received our certificate, we are going to announce our presence everywhere,” noted Mr. Akpaloo in a joyful mood. He told the journalists that his government would bring a change by putting proper mechanisms in place that would ensure that Ghanaians enjoy the benefits of their labour, when elected as president, come December 2012. Key among his policies, when elected into office, he noted, would be to ensure that the working class pay taxes to generate enough money for the economy. That notwithstanding, he said his administration would make sure citizens are registered for social security numbers, to enable the government know at a glance, the number of employed and unemployed in the system, and also help them access bank loans without collateral.

He promised to put up more health facilities across the country, to make Ghana a health tourism centre. With this, he said his government would pay the unemployed GH¢50 monthly for them to use on feeding until they are employed, while also promising to pay every child an amount of GH¢20 every month. The aspiring flagbearer, who is a chartered accountant by profession, also urged Ghanaians to consider voting for the IPP as an alternative to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), since the two parties had failed in rescuing them from economic hardship. To him, election 2012 was a done deal for the IPP, because he had done a lot of underground works, and hopes to sweep all the votes in the regions, notably, Ashanti, Volta and Central.

Asked whether he would consider free senior high school (SHS) education when voted into power, the Volta-born chartered accountant answered in the negative, and noted that he would rather empower parents and make them economically viable to enable them pay their wards’ school fees.

Stressing more on education, Mr. Akpaloo said he would change the current education system being practiced in the country, by merging the junior high school (JHS) and SHS to enable the students have a six-year duration course in college, after completing primary school