The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended the appointment of the Presidnet of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV to serve on the party\u2019s Economic Committee.<\/p>\n
The governing party insists, it has not breached the 1992 Constitution which bars chiefs from taking up partisan positions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that there is any erring in tapping into the knowledge of persons because we don\u2019t see it as taking a partisan position,\u201d the National Organizer of the NDC, Kofi Adams said on Eyewitness News.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”Ge38Nxh3AyuhWBDkfNACBIus6meGrLQi”]The NDC on Tuesday inaugurated a number of committees to help run the affairs of the party and also advise the government on certain issues.<\/p>\n
However, Togbe Afede XIV was among the names mentioned<\/strong> <\/span><\/a>to serve on the economic committee of the NDC which is being chaired by the Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur.<\/p>\n Some believe the governing party has breached Article 27.6 Clause 1 and Clause 2 of the nation\u2019s constitution.<\/p>\n Article 27.6 Clause 1 stated that \u201ca chief shall not take part in active partisan politics and any chief wishing to do so and seeking election to Parliament shall abdicate his stool or skin.\u201d<\/p>\n The Clause 2 of the same Article also stipulates that \u201cNotwithstanding clause 1 of this Article, and paragraph C of Clause 3 of Article 94 of this constitution, a chief may be appointed to a public office for which he is otherwise qualified.\u201d<\/p>\n But in defence, Kofi Adams said a political party cannot be described as a private institution therefore, Togbe Afede XIV\u2019s appointment is valid.<\/p>\n \u201cWho told you that political parties are private entities? \u2013 They are not\u2026so it\u2019s also a public office and we are not putting them in direct partisan positions.\u201d<\/p>\n He argued that not all the individuals who have been appointed to serve of the party\u2019s committees are members of the NDC but \u201cour constitution allows us to bring people we feel have the expertise to help the party in executing the agenda it has for this country.\u201d<\/p>\n He explained that Togbe Afede XIV was appointed due to his vast experience and knowledge in economic management; an expertise the party needs to help run the affairs of the state.<\/p>\n \u201cHe [Togbe Afede XIV] is a member of the World Trade Center, he is a Chief Executive of many important institutions\u2026so he has a lot that he can offer this country.\u201d<\/p>\n Kofi Adams stressed that the committee members \u201care not seeking for elections; the committee members are not seeking MPship or party chairmanship or those elective positions that we know off\u2026 These are committees that will help, that will advise on policies and on programmes.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that the NDC is convinced that \u201cin the development of this country and we will tap into the knowledge of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By: Efua Idan Osam\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
\nFollow @osamidan<\/a>
\n