Some Political Parties, EC React To Former President Kufour's Caution Over Creation Of 45 New Constituencies

The NPP over the weekend launched its campaign for Election 2012 at Mantse Agbona after it had launched its Manifesto at its congress at the Accra Conference Centre. Former President Kufour used the campaign forum to caution the Electoral Commission not to create a "time bomb by rushing to create new constituencies within the short time left for elections. In an interview with Radio Ghana, some political parties and the EC commented on issues raised at the NPP Congress. First, the PRO of the EC, Christian Owusu Parry disagreed with the former President. Meanwhile, a Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah says the Ministry works with the law, the constitution and regulations of the country in creating new constituencies. Reacting to former President Kufour's caution to the EC's move to create new constituencies, Mr Ankrah said the remarks are generally disappointing. Mr.Ankrah could not also appreciate the insults heaped on the NDC by the NPP flagbearer at Mantse Agbonaa. He said it is a shame for the NPP to refer to the NDC as corrupt and incompetent. On the issue of John Mahama and Vice President Amissah-Arthur being Christians without consideration to Muslims, the Deputy Minister explained the hypocrisy in referring to the religious backgrounds of the NDC leadership. In another development, PNC's Presidential Candidate Hassan Ayariga has also been reacting to the NPP's manifesto launch over the weekend, commending the party for a well-organised campaign launch. Speaking to Radio Ghana, Mr Ayariga says he is however disappointed that the NPP is not focusing solely on issues. This is because some party functionaries chose to play politics along tribal and religious lines and to him, this is not healthy for the current democratic dispensation. The PNC has also reacted to the Electoral Commission's mandate to create 45 new constituencies stating that the creation will be unrealistic given only three months to the general elections. Speaking to Radio Ghana's correspondent, the party's flagbearer Hassan Ayariga says he supports former President Kufuor's statement that describes the creation of new constituencies as a time-bomb and unnecessary. A Lecturer in Development Studies at the University of Development Studies Mohammed Assad has described as unfortunate the negative tag the NPP is giving to the creation of new constituencies by the Electoral Commission. Speaking to Radio Ghana, Mr Assad said it is important for the constituencies to be created now following the publication of the results of the population census. According to him, labelling the creation process as a time bomb is not only misleading but also a far cry. On the Thank You Tour of President John Mahama, he said everywhere the President visited, his messages were clear especially the need for Ghanaians to remain united during and after the December polls.