The subject of SALL (Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lipke, and Lolobi) in the Ghanaian 8th Parliament had been a contentious topic, mostly regarding the representation of these four traditional areas in the 2020 parliamentary elections. The recent actions of the minority party, led by its leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, threatening to boycott government business if the Ablekuma North parliamentary results are not declared, have highlighted a stark contrast in their approach to this issue, and it is time to condemn their blatant hypocrisy.

In 2017, the President of Ghana established a Commission of Inquiry to consider the creation of new regions, which ultimately led to the carving of the Oti Region from the Volta Region, where SALL, which was hitherto under the Hohoe municipality/constituency, is situated. The Electoral Commission (EC) faced challenges in aligning constituency boundaries with the new regional demarcations, and initially, SALL was placed in the Hohoe Constituency of the Volta Region, which was later deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

In June 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that SALL must be included in the Oti Region, leading to the EC’s subsequent reallocation of SALL to the Buem Constituency. However, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, voters in SALL were only allowed to participate in the presidential elections in December 2020, effectively disenfranchising them from parliamentary representation.

The people of SALL were given all the assurance that they were going to elect a member of parliament and president in the 2020 polls. However, a circular emanating from the EC was issued on the eve of the elections to the fact that the people would only be allowed to vote in the presidential, and that they would have the opportunity at a later date to choose the representative, which never was until the 2024 elections, making them now to have a representation in parliament.

So, for four good years in the 8th parliament, SALL did not have anybody to champion their cause for them in terms of developmental and other related issues. When the issue was raised at certain fora, the NPP’s director of communications, Richard Ahiagba, then working at the presidency, claimed that there was no need for the SALL people to worry about the situation, and that they were being represented by the president.

Political Dynamics:

The political landscape has shifted significantly, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) now holding a supermajority in Parliament. This has led to accusations of hypocrisy from the micro minority party (NPP), as they previously did not advocate for SALL’s representation during their time in power.

The NPP’s position as a micro minority in Parliament has not deterred them from being more vocal and active in their opposition to the government’s actions regarding the SALL representation issue. In contrast, the NDC majority has been criticized for not taking a stronger stance and doing more to address this pressing concern.

This dynamic has raised questions about the role and responsibilities of both the minority and majority parties in Ghana’s Parliament. While the NPP’s vocal opposition may be seen as a positive sign of a vibrant democracy, their past inaction on the SALL issue casts doubt on the sincerity of their current activism.

Moreover, the NDC’s perceived passivity in the face of the SALL disenfranchisement has led to concerns about their commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the fair representation of all Ghanaian citizens, regardless of their regional or political affiliations. As the ruling party, the NDC bears a greater responsibility to champion the rights of marginalized communities and to set the tone for constructive and inclusive governance.

The contrasting approaches of the minority and majority parties in Parliament have further complicated the SALL representation issue, highlighting the need for a more collaborative and principled approach to addressing the concerns of all Ghanaians, regardless of their political allegiances.

Current Implications:

The NPP minority’s recent threats to boycott government business if Ablekuma North’s electoral results are not declared, highlights a stark contrast in their approach compared to the previous four years when SALL’s representation was overlooked. However, their threats have little impact on government business considering their micro minority status in Parliament.

Remarkably, the NPP minority has been more vocal and active in their opposition to the government’s actions, despite being the smaller faction in Parliament. This contrasts with the relative passivity of the NDC majority, who have been criticized for not doing enough to address the SALL representation issue.

There is a growing sentiment among constituents from SALL that their voices have been marginalized, raising concerns about the integrity of democratic processes and the need for equitable political representation for all Ghanaians.

Conclusion:
The situation surrounding SALL in Parliament reflects broader issues of representation and accountability within Ghana’s political system. The historical neglect of SALL’s parliamentary representation and the recent actions of the minority party have eroded public trust and highlighted the need for political parties to prioritize the interests of all Ghanaians, regardless of their regional affiliation.

It is time to condemn the hypocrisy of the minority party, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and call for a renewed commitment to democratic principles and equitable representation in the Ghanaian Parliament. The NDC majority must also be held accountable for their perceived inaction on this important issue, as all political leaders have a responsibility to ensure the fair and inclusive representation of all citizens.

 

Source: Innocent Samuel Appiah

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