Former DCE Backs Supreme Court Decision to End Delegates System

Former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Suaman District in the Western North Region, Philip Kwabena Boahen, has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to end the delegates system used by political parties in selecting presidential and parliamentary candidates.

Mr Boahen, who is vying for Western North Regional NPP Organizer, described the ruling as one that puts trust in the grassroots to select party leaders.

According to the Regional Organizer Hopeful, the decision is being embraced because it allows for broader participation in the selection of presidential and parliamentary candidates.

Speaking to Winners FM’s Odehyieba on the “Omanba Pa” show, monitored by Apiah-Kubi, Hon. Philip Boahen said he emphatically accepts and supports the reforms to the delegates system and was comfortable with the Supreme Court’s decision.

“This is a good decision, and I will state that it will even cut costs in our internal elections. It will not have any negative effect because we will now have broader decision-making,” Hon. Philip Boahen said.

He explained that his support for the reforms was to help reduce violence and strengthen democratic participation during internal elections.

Hon. Philip Boahen therefore called on the state to help with financing the electoral processes of internal elections to alleviate the burden on political parties.

“I think if those in good standing in the party are eligible to elect leaders, their dues can help finance other activities, and the state should also provide for the electoral processes, especially the Electoral Commission,” Hon. Philip Boahen opined.

He added that the court’s ruling will also help reduce vote buying.

On the constitutional review, Hon. Philip Boahen endorsed the proposal for a five-year presidential term and for the minimum age limit to be reduced to 35 years.

In his view, this will help prepare and discover the younger generation for leadership.

According to him, the current four-year term leaves governments with insufficient time to deliver on their programmes because the beginning and end of each administration are dominated by transition and appointment-related activities.

“My thinking is factual. Under the current four-year term, the first year of every administration is consumed by transition matters, and the final year is largely consumed by elections. So this decision is good,” Hon. Philip Boahen stated.

He said a five-year term would create a more realistic timeframe for governance and policy implementation.

“I’m happy with the committee’s recommendation to lower the minimum age for presidential candidates to 35 years,” he concluded.

Source: Apiah-Kubi – Fabea FM.