In a candid address to traditional leaders in the Ada Constituency, the Minority Second Deputy Chief Whip Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe has cautioned against placing undue faith in government-led sod-cutting ceremonies during election years.
The Ada Member of Parliament urged chiefs not to partake in ceremonies that could be perceived as political maneuvers aimed at influencing electoral outcomes.
Honorable Doyoe Cudjoe strongly asserted that the ceremonial cutting of sod for projects during election years, especially when an incumbent president is nearing the end of their term, should be met with skepticism.
She expressed concerns that such activities might be perceived as political posturing rather than genuine commitments to community development.
“Nobody should believe any government cutting sod in an election, and no chief should worry his head by putting on his beautiful kente cloth following any president in an election year who is about to exit power to sit and cut sod for projects; they are just scamming them.”
Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe
This cautionary advice comes against the backdrop of a broader discourse on the timing and authenticity of development projects announced and initiated during election cycles. Sod-cutting ceremonies, a common practice to mark the commencement of projects, often take on symbolic significance, with politicians aiming to showcase their commitment to community development.
Her message resonates with a growing sentiment that critical development initiatives should be detached from the electoral calendar to ensure a focus on long-term, sustainable growth.
Ada MP Urges Vigilance at the Grassroots for Electoral Success
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Ada Constituency, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe in a rallying call to members and supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ada underscored the critical importance of grassroots vigilance to secure electoral success in the 2024 general elections.
Addressing a gathering of party members in Ada, Honorable Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe emphasized the need for members and supporters of the party to prioritize protecting the integrity of the electoral process at the grassroots level.
Her remarks focused on the significance of the members and supports of the opposition National Democratic Congress to guard against irregularities and ensuring accurate ballot calculations during the 2024 general elections.
“We should not focus on Jean Mensa; let us focus on the branch, which is where you get the win and so protect that ballot in your branch and shine and open your eyes when it is time to do the calculation of the ballots and make sure they do the right calculation.
“If you take your eyes off your polling station, that is where they will scam you and steal the elections, and when it gets to Jean Mensa, whatever they brought to her is what she puts together, so protect your ballot at the polling station”
Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe
Honorable Doyoo Cudjoe further highlighted that electoral victories are secured not at higher administrative levels but at the polling station and branch levels hence the need for the leadership of the National Democratic Congress to direct maximum attention to the grassroots, to empower party members to actively engage in protecting the sanctity of the ballot at the most fundamental level of the electoral process.
Recounting on the experiences and some events in the previous election, the Ada Member of Parliament stressed the need for members of the opposition National Democratic Congress to stay attentive and engaged at the grassroots, where the impact of electoral decisions is most directly felt.
The lawmaker’s message serves as a reminder that the strength of the electoral process lies in the commitment and vigilance of party supporters at the foundational levels and according to her by keeping a watchful eye on polling stations, the constituents can collectively contribute to a fair and credible electoral process in the 2024 general elections.
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