Andrew Atariwini, the Deputy Communications Director for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region, has stated that disagreements in Parliament are a natural part of a maturing democracy and essential for fostering a robust political environment.
Reflecting on past electoral disputes, Mr. Atariwini noted that the 2012 election petition was a critical moment in Ghana’s political evolution. He emphasized that the lessons learned from that experience enhanced the country’s legal framework, which was further tested during the 2020 elections.
“As a maturing democracy, if we do not go through some of these challenges, we cannot genuinely claim to have a strong democracy. In 2012, the election petition gave us the opportunity to test the limits of our laws and constitution. We saw a repeat of it in 2020, and thanks to the record of 2012, we managed it even better in 2020.”
He argued that the current situation offers a similar opportunity to strengthen Ghana’s democracy by allowing citizens and political commentators to engage in meaningful discussions about governance and constitutional integrity. He urged Ghanaians to focus on safeguarding democratic principles, asserting that despite political disagreements, no party has any intention of undermining the nation. “It is an opportunity for us to enrich our democracy. Every Ghanaian today, in my view, should be concerned about how we protect our democracy.”
Mr. Atariwini also acknowledged that, if he were part of the NDC, he might seek to leverage the situation for political gain, highlighting the competitive nature of Ghana’s political landscape. “To be honest with you, if I were in the NDC, I would probably want to do even more because it gives them a certain leverage to send a message.”
The Deputy Communications Director expressed confidence that the NPP would maintain its parliamentary majority despite the ongoing controversies, suggesting that the NDC is primarily attempting to score political points. He affirmed his belief that reasoned debate and adherence to legal processes would ultimately prevail, allowing Parliament to continue its work effectively. “It is impossible for them to become the majority. I am confident that this situation is just the NDC trying to gain some political points. But in the end, reason will prevail, the NPP will continue with its majority, and life will go on.”
Atariwini also called for civil society to play a more proactive role in addressing the unfolding events, indicating that timely interventions could have mitigated some of the current tensions. He suggested that a presidential address could help calm the situation, reinforcing the leader’s role as the commander-in-chief during times of uncertainty. “I don’t think it would have been a bad idea if the president had addressed the country to call for calm. You, as the president, are the commander-in-chief. You can do that. If Parliament handles this decently, it will enrich our democracy.”
He further emphasized the importance of resolving issues surrounding Article 97(g) and (h) and urged all parties to view the current circumstances as an opportunity to solidify the nation’s democratic foundations. “If we don’t use this opportunity to settle this matter regarding the provisions of Article 97(g) and (h), I doubt there will be another chance.”
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
