President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has chastised the Minister for Roads and Highways Francis Asenso Boakye for advising members of the Ejisu constituency to only vote for candidates contesting on the tickets of the governing party.
During a campaign in the constituency over the weekend, Mr Boakye advised Ejisu constituents to vote for the New Patriotic Party’s candidate, stating that it was easier for MPs of the governing party to lobby for projects.
According to Mr Cudjoe, such remarks fail to uphold good governance principles and only reveal the narrow perspective that leaders have on governance.
Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on April 22, Mr Cudjoe said these comments were wrong, as they imply that if an individual was not a member of the government, their efforts to develop their constituency may be frustrated.
He explained that infrastructure development should not be limited to politicking.
“The point I am making is simple. You cannot distribute road infrastructure based on party colours. I think that point ought to be made clear. So, whether the people of Ejisu or any other place on mother earth within the Ghanaian borders decide that they want an NPP person, they don’t want an NDC person, or they want an Alan person then so be it,” he said.
He explained that these individuals pay taxes and are therefore entitled to basic infrastructure, and they should not be made to pay for not electing a certain candidate into office.
“To the extent that the people are part of the country and pay a tax, they should not be denied any projects that have been started whether by an NPP person or a PNC person. We should just continue,” he added.