Nat’l Tymes News Desk
THE GALLANT Cadres of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have called on politicians across the country to restore integrity to Ghana’s political system, insisting that politics should no longer be seen as a “dirty game.”
The group also expressed concern over alleged attempts to manipulate ongoing internal party elections, warning that such practices could undermine democracy and destroy the confidence of party grassroots.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Comrade Richard E. A. Sarpong (Father Casford), the Gallant Cadres said politics has earned its negative reputation because of the conduct of some politicians, not because politics itself is bad.
According to the group, politics should be a noble platform for leadership, development and public service rather than a field associated with corruption, deception and abuse of power.
The Cadres argued that around the world, sports and organisations promote values such as fairness, teamwork and integrity through their slogans, yet politics is often described as a “dirty game” because of unethical behaviour by some political actors.
The statement listed several practices that, in its view, have damaged public trust in politics. These include spreading false information, character assassination, propaganda, corruption, misuse of public resources, unfulfilled campaign promises and attempts to divide citizens along political, ethnic and religious lines.
The group also blamed poor leadership and negligence for national challenges, saying citizens become frustrated when preventable disasters occur while funds meant to address such problems are allegedly misused or diverted.
Touching on internal party elections, the Gallant Cadres claimed to have received reports of alleged attempts by some Members of Parliament, regional executives and constituency executives to influence branch and polling station elections.
The statement alleged that some MPs were working to retain existing executives by paying registration and filing fees on their behalf, while denying new members equal opportunities to contest leadership positions.
It further alleged that some party officials were collaborating with others to manipulate election outcomes in favour of preferred candidates.
The Cadres stressed that such practices, if left unchecked, could weaken internal democracy and discourage dedicated grassroots members from participating actively in party affairs.
Despite the concerns, the group acknowledged that politics remains an important tool for organising society, strengthening democracy and promoting national development.
It therefore urged politicians from all political parties to reject arrogance, corruption, dishonesty and greed, and instead embrace fairness, transparency and accountability.
“The negative tag that politics is a dirty game can only disappear when politicians themselves change their attitudes and place the national interest above personal gain,” the statement said.
The Gallant Cadres called on political leaders and party executives to work together to rebuild public confidence in Ghana’s democratic process and ensure that politics becomes a clean and honourable service to the nation.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
