NDC Communication Structure is not a Job Creation Agency – Avusuglo Justice Amos

Former Branch Youth Organizer of the NDC at Aveyime Police Station, Avusuglo Justice Amos, has argued that the party’s communication structure is not constitutionally mandated to create jobs, insisting that delegates should assess communication officers based on their actual responsibilities and performance.

According to Mr. Avusuglo, Article 35 of the NDC Constitution clearly defines the mandate of the party’s communication structures, from the branch level to the national level.

He said the provision mandates the National Communication Secretariat and its structures to promote publicity, public education, information dissemination, opinion research, advertising and media relations.

Mr. Avusuglo therefore rejected what he described as attempts to make “job creation” the central measure of a constituency Communication Officer’s performance ahead of the upcoming constituency elections.

“Nowhere in Article 35, or in the functions assigned to communication structures of the Party, is a Communication Officer at any level mandated to create employment opportunities as part of his or her constitutional responsibility,” he argued.

He maintained that job creation is primarily the responsibility of government, adding that political parties seek political power to form governments, implement policies, create jobs, expand economic opportunities and improve the living conditions of citizens.

Mr. Avusuglo urged delegates to focus on whether candidates have effectively discharged the constitutional responsibilities attached to their respective positions.

He listed publicity, public education, information dissemination, media relations and communicating the policies, programmes and achievements of the party among the key responsibilities of a Communication Officer.

He also raised concerns about the commitment and availability of one of the candidates, alleging that the individual previously abandoned his position as Deputy Communication Officer and spent most weekdays in Accra, only returning to the constituency occasionally.

According to Mr. Avusuglo, a communication position that requires consistent engagement, daily communication, and responsiveness cannot be effectively discharged on an occasional basis.

“If someone cannot demonstrate commitment to the responsibilities of an office, it is difficult to understand the basis upon which that person now seeks to convince delegates that he deserves an even greater responsibility,” he said.

Mr. Avusuglo further drew a comparison with former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, arguing that shifting public attention to a different narrative does not necessarily erase a person’s previous record.

He, however, acknowledged that branch and constituency executives can play a role in helping constituents access opportunities.

He said executives can facilitate connections between constituents and government programmes, institutions and other stakeholders, but stressed that such facilitation should not be confused with the constitutional mandate of a Communication Officer.

“We have facilitated opportunities for many people in our constituency, and we will continue to do so. But facilitation of opportunities should not be deliberately confused with the constitutional mandate of a Communication Officer to create employment,” Mr. Avusuglo stated.

He consequently called on delegates to judge candidates in the upcoming constituency elections based on competence, commitment, availability, performance, loyalty to the party and measurable contributions to the development of the constituency.

Amos said the elections should focus on “competence, commitment and service” rather than what he described as politically convenient narratives and emotional promises.

The statement comes ahead of the NDC constituency-level elections, where candidates are expected to campaign for various executive positions across constituencies.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh