Smaller political parties have been advised to make themselves visible in their respective wards, constituencies and polling stations.
Dr Kumi Ansah-Koi, a Senior Lecturer of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana gave the advice at a day's training for party executives at Takoradi.
It was on the theme "Enhancing Grassroots Participation, The Role of the Party Executives", and was sponsored by the Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy (NIMD), the Institute for Economic Affairs(IEA) and the Peoples National Convention(PNC).
He said the PNC and other smaller political parties must begin to organised, show preparedness and use the media to tell their own story.
Dr. Ansah-Koi said it was sad that many "minority" parties with little financial background, "disappear" from the political scene and resurface only a few months to elections.
"These parties should rather be visible, support in communal activities, offer alternative ideas and options and give the people more hope," he said.
Dr. Ansah-Koi said many supporters of smaller political parties, do not contribute to radio discussions, national issues and do not even identify and groom potential people to contest as Members of Parliament (MP) in general elections.
He reminded them to take criticisms seriously and use it to their own advantage and should not allow the lack of material, logistics and financial constraints to hinder their political activities in the country.
"Ghana is not prepared to have only two dominant political parties and all small parties should work hard and transform the political landscape of the country," he said.
Dr. Ansah-Koi noted that it was the poor, marginalised, and ordinary people who had the power to make or unmake during elections and these people must be identified and made to understand the policies and alternative approaches to issues that concern them.
He advised the PNC to adopt more modern approaches to political campaigning and change their dwindling fortunes.
Mr. Mohammed Atik, a policy analyst of the PNC said the party needed to adopt slogans that had meaning and was relevant to the needs of voters.
He said many countries have made significant political success through simple but clear slogans that the people can identify with.
Mr. Atik said grassroots democracy must be seen at the doorstep of every Ghanaian and therefore urged members of the PNC to work hard and make this a reality before election 2012.
Mr. Emmanuel Wilson, National Youth organiser of the PNC said the party could win the trust of majority of Ghanaians if its members and executives at the lower level made themselves visible and supported community activities.
Source: GNA
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