Presidents kill grassroots democracy

Wechiau (U/W), May 18, GNA - Mr. John Yibile, Wa West District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), said the appointment of District Chief Executives and the 30 percent members of the District Assembly by the President were killing the decentralization concept at the grassroots level.

He said the practice did not enhance political sovereignty, collective preference, effective representation and political accountability at the local level.

Mr. Yibile said this during the "constitution week" celebration organised by the NCCE at Wechiau in the Wa West District. He said the 1992 constitution, through the decentralization concept, sought to bring self government and development to the doorstep of the local people.

Mr. Yibile said the people should be given the opportunity to elect their own DCEs without any interference from central government to promote grassroots democracy.

He said Ghana's quest to achieve good governance in order to attract foreign investors would remain a mirage if it did not show serious observance and commitment to constitutionalism and democracy. "A civically sensitised people, united in thought, spirit and obligation is the only way of deepening political participation and democracy in Ghana", he noted.

Mr. Yibile spoke about the under representation of women in governance issues and called for the empowerment of women through capacity building to enable them to participate in politics for good governance. 18 May 10