PPP wants inclusion of all Ghanaians in national development

The Progressive People's Party (PPP) on Thursday called for the inclusion of all Ghanaians in the national development agenda to maintain unity in the country.

The PPP said: "There is too much discrimination due to unnecessary partisanship in the award of state contracts, appointments to key public service positions and the distribution of national resources.”

The request is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Kofi Asamoah-Siaw, National Secretary of the party, in reaction to President Mahama's maiden broadcast to the country on Wednesday, copied to Ghana News Agency.

The PPP said: "These are the things that militate against peace and unity in Ghana, and President John Dramani Mahama should make a personal commitment to reverse the trend in order to sustain peace and unity in our beloved country.

The statement expressed hope that President Mahama would carefully consider these issues raised by the PPP, and present to the nation policies that would consolidate peace and unity in the country.

The statement said the party would support all efforts to sustain unity and peace demonstrated by Ghanaians following the death of President John Evans Atta Mills.

It said: "The PPP wishes to state that in other jurisdictions, a Presidential address attracts an equal opportunity for other political parties and key stakeholders to share their views on the issues raised and prescribe concrete solutions to the problems at stake.

In a country where the State owned media provides extensive coverage to government’s programmes and activities and give unfair advantage to the party in power against other political parties, this presents a barrier to unity. The anomaly needs to be corrected to sustain the unity currently prevailing."

The statement said abuse of incumbency by political party in power should be avoided and called on the government to “address the issue of lack of transparency and broader consultation in decision-making.”

It said the White Paper sought to concentrate more power in the hands of the President in the selection or election of Municipal, Metropolitan and District Chief Executives against the collective wish of Ghanaians to have them elected directly without any executive interference.

The statement said giving the President great powers would not promote unity in the practical sense.