The Progressive People's Party (PPP) on Monday registered its displeasure at the continuous use of political parties with representation in Parliament as a means of determining which parties deserve attention.

The PPP said the procedure also determines participation in formal and informal activities leading to Election 2012.

It said even though such criteria might have been used in the past, there was no reason for its continuation, arguing that “Circumstances have changed, the political dynamics of this country have also changed, and therefore our societal institutions must also necessarily change as such distinction contradicts the 1992 Constitution”.

A statement issued by the Party’s National Secretary, Kofi Asamoah Siaw, and made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra said, Ghana was led by a President whose election was not based on how many seats he or she had in Parliament.

It said the President did not need a single seat in Parliament to be elected, stating that, the Constitution safeguarded the people from the tyranny of the majority.

The statement said, the Constitution empowered the people to choose their leadership not based on the leader of the most popular party, but the leader best equipped to bring positive progressive change every citizen could feel.

“Political parties are not to be based on ethnic or religious lines but are to be national and on the ground, with offices opened and officers elected nationally and audited accounts provided,” the statement said.

“The Progressive People's Party is a serious political party working to win the mandate of the people, and therefore, as required by the Constitution, PPP is fully represented in every district of the country with active membership in each region.

“Those who want to provide a platform for serious political parties must look beyond representation in Parliament and do proper research to determine which ones are firmly rooted on the ground,” it said.**