There is apprehension and unnecessary tension in some constituencies, with agitation over why the president has not satisfied their interests in nominating ministers from their areas. The president’s constitutional right to appoint ministers cannot be dictated by constituency members, as the appointment committee follows strict rules to select the best candidates to complement the minister’s role in delivering the president’s vision and development agenda.
The Volta Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mawutor Agbavitor, expressed this on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor FM 92.3, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. He noted that the president has been in office for barely two weeks, and the agitation from some self-centered party members is causing confusion within the party’s ranks.
Agbavitor described the incident in the Ho Central Constituency in the Volta Region as unfortunate and bizarre. He mentioned that the president has already given the region three slots and believes additional appointments will be made before the exercise is completed. He emphasized that the party executives will urgently carry out an internal investigation to apprehend and punish the culprits, and he called on the police to conduct further criminal investigations to arrest those destroying the party’s image.
He reiterated that party supporters should call for development through the right channels rather than resorting to violence, which ultimately damages the party’s image, especially when it has been in office for just two weeks.
In another development, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho Central Constituency in the Volta Region, Edem Kofi Kpotosu, condemned the recent disturbances in his constituency. On the evening of Tuesday, January 21, some youths, believed to be members of the governing NDC, went on a rampage and set ablaze items in the party’s constituency office.
In a press release, the MP stated, “Such actions do not reflect the values and principles of the constituents of Ho Central, nor the NDC as a whole. I stand firmly against any form of violence, vandalism, or unpatriotic behavior. These actions do not represent the people of Ho Central, nor do they align with our shared values of respect, dialogue, and peace.” He called on the police to swiftly investigate and bring the perpetrators to book.
The disturbances were allegedly linked to dissatisfaction among some grassroots party members in the constituency, who were upset that President John Mahama did not nominate anyone from Ho Central as a minister, despite the constituency’s significant support for him in the 2024 elections. However, the MP disagreed with this argument and urged calm, emphasizing that the president is still in the process of forming his government.
“I acknowledge the feelings of discontent, but I urge constituents to express their views through peaceful and constructive means. Disagreement is a vital part of our democracy, but it must be channeled through dialogue, not through acts of aggression or vandalism. I respect the appointment process as it continues to unfold and stand with the decisions of the President.”
The MP reiterated his commitment to serving the best interests of Ho Central’s people and ensuring that their voices are heard respectfully. “I remain dedicated to working with local leaders, community organizations, and constituents to promote peace and unity within the constituency. Let us focus on building bridges, not walls. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for Ho Central.”
Story by: Alexander Kukah
