Accra, Oct 17, GNA-Mr Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD), the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Movement for Change (Afrafranto Alliance), has raised concerns over the entrenched political culture in Ghana, where party loyalty supersedes national interest.
Speaking at separate meetings with the chiefs, elders of Sekondi, and the Imams, chiefs and elders of Sekondi Zongo, KOD questioned the sustainability of the winner-takes-all system that has defined the nation’s politics for years.
He said that system had made political parties more important than the country itself.
“Today, in Ghana, having a party card is more important than having a Ghana Card,” KOD lamented.
In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Wednesday, he explained that the winner-takes-all approach had deepened political divisions, as key national opportunities such as contracts, scholarships, recruitments and employment werre handed out based on party loyalty.
“National contracts, scholarships, recruitment, appointments, and employment opportunities are all reserved for members of the ruling party, leaving a sizeable portion of Ghanaians behind,” he said.
In both meetings, KOD called on Ghanaians to vote for Alan Kyerematen, the presidential candidate of the Movement for Change, who is committed to breaking this divisive political cycle.
He gave the assurance that an Alan Kyerematen-led government would form a government of national unity and prioritize the country’s development over party interests. “What we need is a government of national unity, not one that serves just the interests of a few party loyalists,” KOD emphasized.
Addressing chiefs and elders of Sekondi, KOD emphasised that a government of national unity would promote inclusiveness by utilizing the talents and skills of all Ghanaians, irrespective of political affiliations.
“A government of national unity brings everyone on board, ensuring that we work towards one goal – developing Ghana, not advancing party interests,” he said.
The Sekondi chiefs, in response, praised KOD’s message of change, prayed for him, and appealed to the youth to avoid being used to cause conflict and disunity in the country.
KOD said the winner-takes-all system excluded many qualified Ghanaians because they were not affiliated with the ruling party, depriving the country of their potential contributions. “We cannot build a prosperous nation if we continue to exclude capable people simply because they belong to a different political party or they are not into party politics,” he stressed.
The Imams and chiefs of Sekondi Zongo were full of praise for his message, urging him to share it widely across the country to help people understand the vision Mr. Kyerematen carries.
In addition to promoting inclusiveness, KOD noted that the winner-takes-all system fostered corruption, as party loyalists we appointed to key positions based on loyalty rather than competence.
A government of national unity, he argued, would prioritize meritocracy and qualifications. “We need to move away from this culture of rewarding party loyalty at the expense of competence. Ghana deserves better,” KOD stated.
The Zongo chiefs prayed for him, acknowledging Mr. Alan Kyerematen was one politician who stood out uniquely unblemished in terms of corruption or any other scandal often associated with politicians.
KOD also stressed that a government of national unity would help reduce political tension and promote peace, especially during election periods.
“When everyone feels they have a stake in the governance of the country, it reduces the unhealthy competition and tension that have characterized our elections. People won’t see politics as a do-or-die affair,” he remarked.
GNA