Nduom proposes parliamentary reforms

Accra, June 14, GNA - Dr Paa Kwei Nduom, Flag bearer of the Convention People's Party (CPP) on Saturday said he would amend provisions in the 1992 Constitution that allowed Ministers of State to also serve as Members of Parliament, if given the mandate to be President. He said the change would strengthen Parliament to perform its legislative duties effectively.

A statement issued in Accra said Dr. Nduom said this when he introduced and endorsed Mr. William Kofi Dowokpor as the CPP Parliamentary candidate for the Ayawaso West Wagon Constituency at a rally on Friday. He assured the electorate that, while he worked to win the December elections, Mr. Dowokpor, whom he described as an agent and symbol for change, would also capture the seat to become a stronger advocate for his constituent and all Ghanaians.

Mr. Dowokpor, a 37-year old communications consultant beat his rival, Mr John Philip Acquah with 69 per cent of votes cast at the party's constituency primaries. He was the Public Affairs and Communications Consultant for the National African Peer Review Mechanism Council (NAPRM-GC) The statement said the victory has set Mr Dowokpor as the most viable and hopeful candidates in the parliamentary race for the CPP. It said Mr. Dowokpor's campaign strategy was to appeal to the youth and floating voters with a message of "Reliability in public and utility services, jobs for the youth and staying in touch with constituents as a true representative".

According to the statement, his message had been received positively by electorates, including supporters of the National Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress in the constituency who have decided to vote for Mr Dowokpor, due to the record of the neglect by all four MPs that has represented the constituency since 1992. The statement noted that the CPP Parliamentary candidate's background in governance, media, management and administration, as well as his efforts to establish job centres in the constituency to link prospective employees with employers gives constituents the hope that he would make a difference when given the mandate. Mr. Dowokpor's campaign message, it said, would also create a platform for constituents to get involved in governance process.