Political scientist, Dr Seidu Alidu, has averred that the clergy who met with former President, John Mahama, over the E-levy should have done so with other stakeholders on other issues.
Dr. Alidu stated that although their actions form part of democratic stakeholders that want to make sure the right thing is done, the same approach should have been used in addressing other issues.
“But before what they have done, there were several issues which has bedeviled this country that I wish they could have spoken on or also meet the stakeholders that are concerned or meet those who have influence in that particular issue.”
Dr Seidu Alidu
According to the Political Scientist, none of these things have been done by the clergy. He stated that stakeholders in the country should not pick issues that they want to attend to but rather tackle all.
“Every issue that is out is most important in building our democracy. You should be seen to be championing it so that you’ll be consistent but if you choose issues, people are going to use it against you.”
Dr Seidu Alidu
Citizens should’ve been engaged
Dr. Alidu averred that the clergy should have engaged their members first before meeting the former President because at the end of the day, those who will be affected by the E-levy are the citizens.
“If it was about the E-levy, the E-levy is going to be paid by people, that is the citizens. I think that most of these people[clergy members] have churches they preside over and the members who fellowship with them. I think that the starting point should have been to speak to them on the need to pay the e-levy. If it’s necessary after doing that they could have now engaged the stakeholders.”
Dr Seidu Alidu
His comments came on the back of the Clergy’s visit to former President, John Mahama, to reportedly among other things, appeal to him and NDC MPs to help government pass the controversial bill.
Former President John Dramani Mahama also used the visit by the clergy to explain the fight that occurred in Parliament over the E-levy, stating that the Minority lawmakers were not expected to sit timidly to allow unconstitutionality to pass in the House.
John Mahama told the clergy who visited him that the constitution is clear on how proceedings should be conducted in Parliament; therefore, setting aside the right procedure was always going to raise eyebrows.
“If you get the details of our concerns you will understand the view from where we are coming from. I do think this meeting is timely, it is good to hear from all sides.
“By the time you hear what we have to say you will realize that the problem is much deeper than what you think. That is why I have brought some of the MPs. That fight was a fight for democracy , there is no way a speaker can sit in the chair, relinquish the chair, let somebody else come and sit and take a vote in something that he has presided over.”
John Mahama
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