Krofu (C/R), Aug. 25, GNA - The District Chief Executive for Mfantseman, Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, has called for stop to the upsurge of ethnic politics since it was unconstitutional.

Quoting Article 55 Section 4 of the 1992 Constitution, the DCE said all political parties in the country should have a national character, saying "this means that no party should operate on ethnic or sectional lines".

Mr. Quainoo-Arthur said that apart from its divisive tendency, ethnic politics could be a recipe for political upheaval and called on Ghanaians to help nip it in the bud.

He was addressing a durbar of the Chiefs and people of Krofu near Mankessim in the Central Region, to mark this year's Akwambo Festival. Mr. Quainoo-Arthur cautioned that belonging to different political parties should not make the electorates enemies. He urged politicians to discuss issues and not to attack personalities.

"What they expect to win from these debates, in the long run is development", he said.

The DCE advised the Chiefs and elders of the area to use the festival to resolve misunderstandings to enable them begin a new year with a common purpose to move their families and communities forward.

Mr Jojo Bruce Quansah, National Democratic Congress Parliamentary Candidate for Mfantseman West, cautioned the people against selling their voters identification cards to politicians. He said they would not only be selling their conscience but also the right to decide who should lead them.

Mr Quansah called on the electorate to let their condition of living to determine the direction of their votes in the December 2004 elections.