The Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and a prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Samuel Awuku, popularly known as Sammi Awuku, has made striking remarks about the composition of political parties in Ghana.
Awuku emphasized that political parties attract individuals from various backgrounds, including those who may engage in wrongdoing as part of their daily activities.
He stressed that every vote counts, whether it comes from a bishop or an armed robber.
“The vote of a bishop is one and the vote of an armed robber is one. So why should I pretend that I am only campaigning for Bishops and Imams?” he told host Kwame Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s morning show, Kokrokoo.
Awuku acknowledged that political campaigns target a diverse audience, including individuals from marginalized communities such as “ghettos.”
Moreover, he emphasized the need for understanding and support for those who may have been involved in illegal activities, suggesting that their circumstances might have driven them to such actions.
Awuku highlighted the role of political parties in providing opportunities for redemption and rehabilitation.
“You campaign to bad boys, there are ‘wee’ boys in there, the ‘powder’ boys are there, and etcetera. And so after doing all your campaigning to get the votes, it is not my duty to go and report that when I went to this person, they said they will vote for me, but he is an armed robber, rather I am supposed to counsel him to get a job. Maybe circumstances pushed them into it,” he noted.
He added that political parties encompass a wide spectrum of individuals, ranging from the level-headed to those who may engage in unlawful behaviour, and as such, each person has their own reasons for affiliating with a political party, emphasizing the diversity within these organizations.
“So the political parties themselves are a cocktail of good and bad people. People should not think that political parties are only made up of academicians, not at all. We have those who are level-headed, and we have those who do bad things, and we have those who are willing to accept help to become better. But the point is that the five fingers are not the same. So everyone has their reasons for joining a political party.” he explained.
Awuku’s remarks come at a pivotal moment as Ghana gears up for the next general election, scheduled for December 2024.
Vice President Bawumia, having been chosen as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, is set to announce his running mate in June, as revealed by Awuku.