GCPP calls for early elections

The Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) on Friday urged the NPP government to accept its handicap in administering the nation and called for early elections to redeem it and the country from political embarrassment.

"The President's ministerial changes within 10 months in office is clear manifestation of its inadequacies and an indication of round perks in square holes which has begun crumbling under heavy media and civil society scrutiny."

Mr Dan Lartey, GCPP leader, was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in reaction to President John Agyekum Kufuor's cabinet reshuffle. He said a party that was in opposition for eight years should have been in a better position to adequately assess the capabilities and qualifications of its members before assigning them portfolios.

"Ten months is long enough for the government to establish its policies both locally and internationally to show the country's direction but unfortunately Ghana now lacks focus on policies. "We are still being ruled under the shadows of the former NDC government's policies."

Mr Lartey cited the government's joining of the HIPC initiative without adequate consultation, lack of a master plan for economic recovery and the negative impact of 'Positive Change' on the lives of the people.

He said: "We all stood and voted for positive change instead of progressive change but now the government is ruling under the later which is a direct violation of the people's trust and mandate."

Mr Lartey admitted the constitution is silent on early elections but said it is applicable. ''Ghana cannot wait for four years for an inefficient government to continue in office." NPP General Secretary, Dan Botwe, however, told the GNA that the changes are normal government prerogative exercised by presidents to keep state machinery in perfect operation.

He said the changes do not necessary mean the affected ministers were incompetent. ''It is a normal administrative procedure to add more dynamism to governance''. Mr Botwe also disagrees that some of the ministers, especially Mr J. H. Mensah and Ms Elizabeth Ohene, have been demoted.

Mr Mensah, formerly Majority Leader, Leader of Government Business and Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, is now Chairman of the Economic Management Team. Ms Ohene, former Minister of Media Relations, is now Minister at the Office of the President.