A lead campaigner of the advocacy group campaigning for the passage of the Representation of the Peoples’ Amendment Act (ROPAA), has announced his decision to contest the 2020 general election as an independent candidate.
Mr Kofi Koranteng said the decision stems out of his resolve to build a righteous and just future for Ghana.
“I will dedicate my time, energy and knowledge to pursue a path to an Independent Candidacy for the Presidency of Ghana, a position that can effectively implement change before the democracy of our Father and Mother’s dreams is sold out to the highest foreign bidder,” a statement issued in Accra said.
Below is the full statement:
Kofi Koranteng announced today that he is relinquishing his post as CEO of the Progressive Alliance Movement (PAM) effective immediately.
Mr. Koranteng is taking his leave from PAM to begin an exploratory committee to file as an Independent Candidate for the Presidency of Ghana in the 2020 elections.
Along with Kwame Fosu, and Michael Baffoe, Mr Koranteng was a founding member of the organization. PAM was founded as a non-religious, non-political, non-ethic civic organization in 2011 for Ghanaians Living Abroad (GLA).
PAM originally began as a focus group with likeminded individuals sharing fiscal and policy ideas that would further enhance the lives of Ghanaians both home and abroad. PAM garnered so much support from GLA’s around the world that it morphed into a political action movement focused on upholding the democratic ideals of the Government of the Motherland.
Beginning as a civic organization that wrote letters to political leaders and the President, Kofi Koranteng and the leadership of PAM turned the organization into a political force when they filed suit in the High Court of Accra against the Electoral Commission (EC) for failing to implement the Representation of the Peoples’ Amendment Act (ROPAA).
This Act specified timelines and deadlines for the EC to establish protocols and implement the system which would allow GLA’s to exercise their Constitutional Right to vote in elections held in Ghana.
Representing PAM, Mr. Koranteng’s team challenged in the High Court the malicious practices of the NDC and NPP to keep postponing the deadline for implementation of ROPAA by constantly changing the officers of the EC.
Since ROPAA’s enactment GLA’s have lost their chance to vote in three national elections, including 2008, 2012 and 2016. Agreeing with the arguments set forth by PAM, the High Court of Accra again established deadlines for the EC to implement a system for GLA’s to vote in National Elections. Currently the EC is in contempt of Court as they failed to meet yet another deadline established by the Accra High Court.
In announcing his departure from PAM, Mr. Koranteng stated, “I have fought as hard as I can from the outside. I have grown weary of the scrimmages that I have led against a government that totally disregards its people. So now I am ready to fight from within to build a just and righteous future for our beloved Homeland. I will dedicate my time, energy and knowledge to pursue a path to an Independent Candidacy for the Presidency of Ghana, a position that can effectively implement change before the democracy of our Father and Mother’s dreams is sold out to the highest foreign bidder”.
“Over the next few weeks, I will meet with advisors and supporters to fine tune Agenda 2020, a Reform Platform based on viable actionable initiatives that will enhance the infrastructure, economy, educational, agricultural, medical care and social services of Ghana. We must polish our democracy, provide hope for our people and make Ghana a beacon of prosperity, equality, and freedom for each of our citizens. I will be reaching out to supporters in each of the 16 Regions to put in place a strong National Campaign as this may be our last best chance to recapture our government, country, heritage and future from the hands of the corrupt.”
In wishing Kofi Koranteng strength and success in his quest, Dr. Kofi Boateng (Kofi Ropaa) Chair for PAM reiterated that the organization will continue its path of righteously fighting for democratic justice on the path forged for them by its founders.