Boycott of SONA by Minority shows deep division in Ghana’s politics – Expert

Political communication analyst and lecturer, Dr. Etse Sikanku, says  the Minority’s decision to boycott the state of the Nation’s Address shows the level of divisiveness in the country’s politics.
The Members of Parliament on the Minority side walked out of  the House where the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo was scheduled to deliver the State of The Nation Address.
The President presented the State of the Nation’s Address on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
The address, which entailed the current state of the nation was in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana. The minority left the Parliament amidst chants.
Justifying the action of the Minority, General Secretary for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Aseidu Nketia, explained that New Patriotic Party (NDC) practices a type of democracy that infringes on the right of persons to speak.
“I believe that the MPs were only exercising one of their remaining rights, that is the right not to participate in what you disagree with,” he said.
Dr. Etse Sikanku, who was  speaking to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive, explained that although the Minority staged a walkout to express their displeasure, it showed that the idea of bipartisan tolerance need to be reechoed.
“It also shows that there is still a very deep division and partisanship in Ghana’s Politics. The whole Idea of working together is missing because sides find it difficult in coming to a compromise  on issues affecting the state,” he said.
Asked if the absence of the minority affected the President’s delivery of the State of the Nation Address, Dr. Etse Sikanku answered in the negative, adding that their absence reduced the heckles which could have interrupted the delivery of the address.
He, however, added that the State of the Nation  Address is the most important address of the country and that it would have been nice for the Minority to have stayed to participate in the event.
 
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa