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Politics of Sunday, 7 June 2009

Source: GNA

NDC activist advocates vetting of district chief executives

Wa, June 7, GNA - Mr. David Deribaa, an activist of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for the amendment of Article 241 (3) of the Constitution, to pave way for the setting up of vetting committees for future appointees to the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.

This he noted, would eliminate the hatred, bickering, rancour, vilification and character assassination that characterise the nomination and confirmation of chief executives to these offices. Mr. Deribaa who is the Deputy Upper West Regional Propaganda Secretary of the NDC, made these suggestions in a statement, made available to the Ghana News Agency in Wa, at the weekend. He expressed opposition to the election of chief executives, saying Ghana is a unitary state, while such local government appointees are the representative of the Head of State.

Mr. Deribaa said it would therefore not be politically safe to directly elect Chief Executives who may be opposed to the political ideology of the sitting President.

"This trend can lead to confusion and chaos in respect of resource allocation and general administration in the country, he said. Mr. Deribaa debunked the notion that the election of the chief executives would make them directly accountable to the people, saying persons who should be placed in that category are members of parliament and assembly members, since they carry out deliberative and legislative functions. 07 June 09