Implement ROPAA – PPP charges in NYC

by Kofi Ayim

The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) of Ghana has thrown its unflinching support in the implementation of the Representation of the Peoples’ Amendment Act (ROPAA). ROPAA is the legislation, passed almost a decade ago by Ghana’s Parliament to allow Ghanaians in the diaspora to exercise their voting rights. It is however, yet to be implemented. Mr. Nii Allotey Brew Hammond, the National Chair of the PPP reiterated his political party support of ROPAA at a “PPP Diaspora Encounter “at UNY Graduate Center, New York City July 31. The flag bearer of the PPP, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom in mid July was the first major political figurein Ghana to call for the implementation of ROPAA.
“By denying those abroad the right to vote at embassies or consular offices, the government is denying citizens a fundamental constitutional right. The opponents of the ROPAA Law are so afraid of the implementation not favoring them, they would do anything to prevent it from being implemented – an Implementation that will enhance Ghana’s democratic credentials” ,Mr. Hammond postulated. He said that both the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the major opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are afraid of their own shadows with regards to ROPAA implementation. He pointed out that the remittances by Ghanaians, have for a long time been the anchor for the government, and therefore unfair to deny these same Ghanaians their rights in the political process. He assured that a PPP government would implement what has been legislated, and respects the rights of all Ghanaians irrespective of their residence.
Highlighting on his party’s platform, Mr. Hammond said that a PPP government would work to ensure that every household enjoys uninterrupted water and power supply, improved sanitation, ensure not only expanded road networks, but their safety, and that district chief executives are elected at the local level, among others.
He warned that the current political climate in Ghana, divided along ethnic lines and a winner takes all syndrome do not bode well for the country. “Poverty is breeding dependency and corruption and inducing the average voter to sell his/her vote for a corrupt administration”, he added.
He opined that the PPP cannot allow the two leading parties to continue hurling insults at each other while nothing gets done to improve the lives of Ghanaians.
He emphasized that The PPP is a party of the future—Ghana’s future—because the PPP believes the people of Ghana deserves a quality of life that includes Prosperity-In-Peace. The event was moderated by Dr. Kwame Akonor, an International and Political Science Professor at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey..

Posted by admin on Aug 14 2015. Filed under top stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry