Representation for SALL: AG pushes for fresh Buem Parliamentary polls, MP disagrees
“Even if the C.I. is laid in this House today and the same comes into force after 21 sitting days of Parliament, the Guan Constituency can only come into effect after 6th January 2025,”
The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame has called for the annulment of the Buem Parliamentary election for the fresh conduct of polls for the people of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) to exercise their rights and have representation in parliament.
He believes that this step will provide the people of SALL with an opportunity to be captured under the Buem area.
“Mr. Speaker, I think it is important to note that if there is an immediate need for the recognition of the rights of the people of the SALL areas to elect the MPs, the solution is not just the annulment or revocation of the L. I. but it must be coupled with the annulment of the Buem Parliamentary elections.”
Residents of SALL have lamented for being denied the right to vote in the 2020 parliamentary elections which they believe constituted a breach of their rights.
Responding to an urgent question in Parliament on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, on the status of the Constitutional Instrument(C.I.) for the creation of a constituency for the residents of SALL, the AG held the House's inability to sit for 21 days during the 7th Parliament was the reason for the delay in creating the said constituency.
Moreover, Mr. Dame stated that his outfit advised the Electoral Commission against laying the proposed C.I. to amend C.I. 128 before Parliament per the limited timeframe for its passage.
Additionally, he blamed Parliament squarely for not annulling the L.I. 2416 that created the Guan District.
“If the House had revoked the Instrument creating the Guan district, we wouldn’t have found ourselves in this situation.”
Mr.Dame also made it clear that even if a new C.I. were to be passed currently, residents of SALL will have representation in Parliament only after the 2024 election.
“Even if the C.I. is laid in this House today and the same comes into force after 21 sitting days of Parliament, the Guan Constituency can only come into effect after 6th January 2025,”
In a separate event, the MP for the Buem Constituency, Kofi Adam has described the Attorney General’s proposal as a ‘joke’.
He indicates that the AG’s proposal only shows that the Akufo-Addo led Government had failed to address the Country’s numerous local Government structural deficits.
In an interview with CitiTv, Mr. Adams further noted that the Attorney General was evasive with the real issues.
He however indicated his readiness for any elections in Buem.
