Some citizens have suggested the need for another party to replace the two dominating parties in the country with reasons being that, they are similar, after the outcome of the 2020 general elections.
In light of this, Mark Arkoh, the Youth Organizer for the People’s National Convention (PNC) has accentuated the need for a third force political party aside the two dominating parties which is the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the New Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on the relevance of smaller parties in Ghana’s democracy, he posited the need for a third force, that can decipher between the two dominating parties, put the government on its toes and also criticise them when the need be.
“In the build-up of our democracy, we have realised that, we cannot have just two parties in the democracy that has been built for us over these years. There is a need for another political party that can come up and become a third force.
“When it comes to accountability, it becomes a difficulty for the opposition to criticise them simply because they know after every 4 or 8 years there would be a turn of tables. And if you push me that far to the wall, when you come, I may also push you.”
On challenges relating to the smaller parties, he averred the need for the development of good policies entirely different from that of the two dominating political parties in the country. Adding that opportunities should be made available to smaller parties to demonstrate their will power.
“We cannot have only the NPP and NDC having all the political power when some of the smaller parties when given the opportunity can also do their best.”
He buttressed his point with the fact that, some smaller parties have suggested solutions to various issues in the country and as such should be given the opportunity to become more outspoken and also have power.
“We have been giving power to the NPP and the NDC and nothing has changed.”
New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the New Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters
Additionally, Dr. Carl Mintah Baisey, Lecturer for Development Planning at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) posited the need for unity of the smaller parties as against suggestion by others of they being disbanded.
He encouraged the need for the smaller parties in Ghana to finetune their line of action towards various parliamentary seats.
“If you look at the results of the 2020 elections you are tempted to agree these smaller parties do not have any business contesting the Presidential election and must therefore focus on the parliamentary seats.”
Additionally, he suggested that, the platform be given to them to take up various parliamentary seats across the nation.
Dr Agyeman Budu, Head of Law at GIMPA, adding his voice, called for unity amongst the smaller parties.
It was seen in Ghana’s general elections which took place in December the number of smaller parties the nation had. Although some were already in existence, various parties also emerged, notable amongst them being Ghana Union Movement (GUM), founded by Christian Kwabena Andrews who is also the founder of the Life Assembly Worship Center, which was indicated as the third party to have amassed huge votes.
