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QUOTAS IN POLITICS

The NPP, already under pressure following ethnically insensitive remarks in the last few years by a number of its leaders, including the flagbearer, is in trouble again. It’s Parliamentary election guidelines have arbitrarily set aside seats for women and indigenous Gas.

The set-asides are unconstitutional, undemocratic, divisive and smacks of immorality. Why does a Ga born in Ashanti have a stronger claim to Krowor than an Ewe who was born there? Why reserve Krowor and other seats for Gas and not Asawase for indigenous Ashantis? What is next? Reserving Volta seats for Voltarians?

Why would a man who has been a good and loyal party member for years lose his right to contest a Parliamentary seat because his incumbent MP happens to be a woman? While the goals of promoting Diversity and fighting the unfair Akan tag are worthwhile, the implementation lacked consultation and consensus.

It is tragic that 6 decades after Gas voted for Kwame Nkrumah of Nkroful over native son Obetsebi-Lamptey and Fantis sent the Ashanti Kufuor to the Presidency over native son Atta – Mills, politicians still can’t trust voters to vote their conscience and interest.

One cannot legislate everything. A half-century ago, our tradition, led by Dr. Busia, needed J.H. Mensah to be in Parliament on his way to being Finance Minister. The man the people wanted was the celebrated lawyer Barimah, father of Kofi Barimah. The party pleaded with him and he yielded.

A half-century later, another leader, Kufuor pleaded with his son for the same sacrifice and he yielded– again. Let our leaders do the hardwork of persuasion, which is the essence of leadership and stop dividing us.

If, as Ursula claims, the silent majority supports the women, why won’t the silent majority vote for them in open contest? This ill-considered scheme will only cost us seats, including some of those held by women.

The best way to combat the ethnic tag is to condemn and isolate the few ethnic bigots in the NPP and to celebrate people like Chairman Afoko, who are winning openly contested elections.

Let the leadership retreat, rethink and return with something more sensible and lawful. Otherwise, there will wahala!!!