Parties must groom members for leadership – IDEG

The Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, has advised political parties in the country to groom their members for leadership positions when they are voted to govern the country.

This he said will ensure appointees are prepared for their positions and prevent Ministers of State from abandoning their official duties to go to school.

His suggestion comes on the back of a statement made by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey, that the practice where political appointees leave their post to go to school is negatively affecting the running of the affairs of the nation.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Monday, Dr. Akwetey mentioned that the fundamental question raised by the Presby Moderator is ,“do the parties train enough leaders into Ministerial positions?”

He observed that if there are “capacity gaps” for persons penned down for political appointments, the political party must devise ways to bridge the gap.

The IDEG boss, therefore, recommended different levels of training and orientation for party members “in such a way that it does not interfere with their work".

Citing the United Kingdom (UK) system, Dr. Akwetey said political parties in the UK produces, grooms and educates its leaders.

He also suggested that, “if Parliament at any time feel most of the experienced hands are gone, been voted out or retired, and you have a new batch of people who really need to be brought up speed, there are different ways arranging that.”

Dr. Akwetey was, however, quick to add that the sole responsibly lies on political parties as they are to ensure that they have persons “who have the qualifications already".