A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Kpone Katamanso Constituency, Samuel Aborbi, has described calls for the abolition of the delegate system in political party elections as a step in the right direction.
Speaking on Nkosuo Nsem on Plan B FM, hosted by Kofi Sekyi, Aborbi argued that some Members of Parliament and party officials have secured positions not because of their competence, but due to the influence of money on a select few delegates.
According to him, the current delegate system has denied many competent and experienced individuals the opportunity to lead because they are unable to meet the financial demands of delegates.
He stated that the system encourages monetisation in politics and sidelines qualified candidates who genuinely have the support of the grassroots.
Aborbi believes scrapping the delegate system and replacing it with a “one member, one vote” arrangement would allow ordinary party members to choose their leaders directly, thereby paving the way for more competent and credible individuals to emerge.
His comments come after the Office of the Attorney General filed arguments in support of a Supreme Court case seeking the abolition of the delegate system used in internal elections by political parties in Ghana.
The suit was filed by Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, and Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah. Represented by Oliver Barker-Vormawor, the plaintiffs are asking the Supreme Court to declare the delegate-based electoral systems used by major political parties unconstitutional.
They are advocating for a direct “one member, one vote” system in party primaries, arguing that the current arrangement disenfranchises many ordinary party members, promotes vote-buying, and gives undue advantage to wealthy candidates.
Defendants in the case include the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), Convention People’s Party (CPP), the Attorney General, and the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
In a social media post on Tuesday, May 26, Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, described the suit as one of the most significant constitutional cases in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
Dr. Srem-Sai noted that the government believes a ruling in favour of the plaintiffs could strengthen Ghana’s democratic system.
Aborbi maintains that abolishing the delegate system would significantly reduce the monetisation of politics and restore fairness in the selection of political leaders.
By: Bernard Mensah |Planbfmonline.com
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