Impact of Political Climate on Development in Ghana, Insights from Ho West DCE.
Mr. Victor Ernest Apau, Ho West District Chief Executive (DCE), has expressed his concern about how the current political climate in Ghana is negatively impacting the country’s development. Addressing the opening of a consultative meeting in Ho with key stakeholders on enhancing the participation of women in local governance, the DCE noted that the constantly charged political environment has led to the concentration of resources around party structures and communication machinery at the expense of national progression.
According to Mr. Apau, this situation produces an endless stream of propaganda that floods the government’s development efforts. He further stated that treating every day as an election year with lies being put out in the public for political parties to demystify has made it difficult to change the political orientation of Ghanaians.
The DCE called for responsible opposition and constructive criticism instead of bland criticisms that offer no alternatives. He also spoke on the lack of cohesion among the various individual structures of the Assembly and said that political appointees should be selected based on respected wisdom to fill leadership gaps not addressed by-elections. Therefore, prime stakeholders including traditional authority and political parties should help them ensure the needed development progress.
The meeting was organized to encourage more women to join the race for Assembly membership and was attended by current and aspiring Assembly members from the Ho and surrounding districts. Madam Hamida Harrison, who led the NGO, said development participation was the right of every citizen and urged women to develop courage and self-confidence. She encouraged women to equip themselves to take up leadership positions in the country, as the District Assembly remained the training ground for women.
Abantu, as part of its activities, mentors and trains women to join the assembly race and supports them with some campaign materials. The DCE called on political parties to talk to their appointees to help with development and seek the interest of the larger masses than a few who have so much to say. He also expressed concern over the removal of some good DCEs for personal gain.