Attempts by the National House of Chiefs and the National Democratic Congress to whip up sentiments and direct voters to vote “No” in the upcoming referendum has been challenged by the Ashanti regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party.
Mr. Bernard Antwi-Boaisako has opined that a “No” vote would continue to promote the winner takes all political cycle in Ghana and stall developments at the local level for which reason; he explained and encouraged voters to vote “Yes” on December 17, 2019.
Last Thursday, the President of the National House of Chiefs signed and issued a statement to kick against proposals to allow political parties to participate in the district-level elections.
According to the statement, the House of Chiefs is concerned about the adverse effects of partisan politics on local level development if this referendum goes through.
“We strongly object to the proposal that membership of local assemblies should exclusively comprise representatives of political parties, as in the case of Parliament”, a portion of their statement read.
But Mr. Antwi-Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi explained that inasmuch as he respects the Togbe Afede for freely expressing his view, he would plead with the Local Government minister and all stakeholders to visit the chief and give him a detailed education on the exercise.
“The statement by Togbe Afede should be considered as one from an individual and must be respected but I would call on the Local Government minister to ensure that the referendum education gets to the revered chief. I firmly believe Togbe doesn’t understand the concept of the referendum and the reason it would be better for the masses to vote yes”, Chairman Wontumi told Peacefmonline.com.
NDC is full of Gluttons
The National Democratic Congress has also justified the party’s decision to campaign against the amendment of Article 55 of the 1992 Constitution.
The Minority in Parliament had earlier supported the amendment but suddenly changed its position, arguing that allowing the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on partisan lines would further polarise the country.
The NDC has, therefore, called on Ghanaians to vote ‘No’ in the December 17 referendum.
But Chairman Wontumi replied that history has proven that the NDC are always opposed to good things. He described them as a party full of “people who are always against good policies that would bring about positive change to Ghanaians.”
He continued that “when former President Kufuor wanted to introduce the National Health Insurance scheme, the NDC kicked against it and it was the same for the free Senior High School policy. But there is data to prove that the majority of people who benefit from the good policies are people who belong to the NDC. They (NDC) are even attacking good policies like the Planting for Foods and Jobs and One District One Factory and at the same time enjoying from the program. They are full of gluttons”.
Mr. Antwi-Boasiako noted that the referendum debate should present an opportunity for both the Christian and Muslim council and all stakeholders to educate people on essence of voting Yes.
He explained that “the reason for this referendum is to end the winner takes all cycle that has been going on for yes. If we take a look at countries like the USA and UK where democracy is well practiced, we would see that the winner takes all style of polities doesn’t work there and it is that system we want to emulate.
President Nana Akufo-Addo want to bring empowerment to every district and to the local people and on top of it, the Chiefs would hold more power.”
A constitutional referendum will be held in Ghana on 17 December 2019, alongside district level elections. The proposed amendments to the constitution would allow for the direct election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and allow political parties to be involved in local elections.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Dear Presenter, lets focus on the referendum question. 'should political parties be allowed to participate in local government elections?' If that is the question, then voting 'yes' means amending Art 55(3)i.e. allowing political parties at local level elections simpliciter. Voting 'no' is to maintain the statue-quo i.e. no change. The controversy is sparked by the question asked. Why not re-design the question to read: 'should political parties be allowed to elect MMDCEs at local level politics?'. No mention is made of Assembly and Unit committee candidates in an election. Their status remains. Yes, Art 243 will have to see Parliamentary amendment as well to take the power from the President. But where it is coming to fix is in Art 55(3). If a referendum does not amend Art 55(3), an elected MMDCEs can not enter into Assemblies which abhor political parties per Art 55(3). Amending Art 55(3) makes the way for elected MMDCEs into the Assembly smooth. My 'Yes' or 'No' vote will depend on the question for the referendum. The electoral Commission must note that!
So Wontumi uses the word 'gluttons' for the NDC people eiiiih......wonders will never end. Does Wontumi really understand the word 'gluttons'. To the best of my knowledge, Wontumi doesn't speak English.....haha eiiiih peacefmonline
In fact, this is only time I have ever heard this man Chairman Wontumi speak well with all senses in my life. I wish he should continue like this till thy Kingdom comes. Still it is shocking me, because I never know that he can one day one day bring us together like this, may God richly bless him and his family. Very soon Kweku Baako will also foll his footstep and Ghana be free.