President of the Chamber of Local Governance Dr. Richard Fiadormor says the Akufo-Addo government will be humiliated with its ‘yes vote’ position if it goes ahead with the December 17 referendum.
President Akufo-Addo and his NPP party are canvassing for a ‘yes vote’ in the referendum which is to determine if political parties should be allowed to sponsor candidates in local level elections.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some civil society groups in the country are backing a ‘no vote’ claiming allowing political parties in local polls will further divide the country.
Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Friday, Mr. Fiadormor said government should conisder cancelling the referendum.
“There wouldn’t be any consequence if the referendum is withdrawn.The government will be humiliated if they proceed with the Referendum. The assemblies are bleeding and that is why people say MMDCEs are doing nothing when in fact that may not necessarily be the case,” he said.
Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution, which is an entrenched provision, states that “Subject to the provisions of this Article, a political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character; and sponsor candidates for election to any public office other than the district assemblies or lower local government units”.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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The Chamber Of Local Government itself does not seem to understand the implication of voting no. If 'No' wins , the president still goes ahead to appoint mmdces. The losers are the smaller parties then. The ndc also loses out.
I STRONGLY BELIEVE THE LEADERSHIP OF NPP IS NOT SO STUPIDDD TO GO AHEAD WITH THE REFERENDUM. NPP DOES NOT LOSE ANYTHING IF THE REFERENDUM IS CANCELLED. LIKE NDC OR ANY POLITICAL PARTY THEY CAN STILL RALLY BEHIND THEIR CANDIDATES. EVERY GHANAIAN IS INTERESTED ABOUT THE ELECTION OF MMDCES. IN ANY CASE IT IS NDC THAT WOULD BE BLAMED FOR BETRAYAL AND DISHONESTY BECAUSE OF THEIR DOUBLE STANDARD AND INCONSISTENCY. IT IS SUICIDAL FOR NDC IF THE REFERENDUM IS CANCELLED BECAUSE OF THE DECEPTION. ON THE OTHER HAND IT WILL BE A FATAL POLITICAL MISCALCULATION FOR AKUFO ADDO AND NPP TO GO AHEAD WITH THE REFERENDUM. I HAVE REPEATEDLY MAKE THIS POINT. KWAKU BAAKO, KEN AGYAPONG AND MANY SERIOUS THINKERS WHO WISH GHANA AND NPP WELL SEE TACTICAL WISDOM FOR NPP TO POSTPONE OR CANCELLED THE REFERENDUM. CATHOLIC BISHOP CONFERENCE SOME PROMINENT RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS HAVE ALL CALLED FOR THE CANCELLATION. AKUFFO ADDO AND NPP SHOULD BY NOW KNOW THAT THE CALL TO CANCEL OR POSTPONE THE REFERENDUM IS EQUIVALENT TO YES VOTE AND THEY MUST BE SMART ENOUGH TO NOTICE IT. THOSE WHO ARE CALLING FOR YES VOTE MIGHT MEAN WELL BUT IT NOT A SMART DECISION FOR NPP AND GHANA. THE GOING AHEAD WITH THE ELECTION IS ONLY WAY THAT CAN CHANGED THE BAD OMEN FROM NDC TO NPP. PLEASE NANA ADDO DON'T BE SOOOO NAIIIVE TO DESTROY NPP WITH THE REFERENDUM. YOU AND THE PARTY HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR GHANA AND WE MUST GUIDE AND SUPPORT YOU TO DO THE BEST AND SAVE GHANA AND AFRICA FROM THE DOLDRUMS. IT IS NOT BY ACCIDENT THAT NDC HAS COMMITTED ITSELF TO THE CURSE FOR NO VOTE. DONT GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN IT OVER TO YOU. YOUR VICTORY IN THIS CASE IS NOT YES VOTE BUT CANCELLATION OF THE REFERENDUM.
President Akufo-Addo, if people say you should continue controlling the assemblies with your appointees, why worry? Just stop this referendum and let sleeping dogs lie. It has become NPP-NDC rehearsal for 2020 and no more a referendum. This is not good for a party in government when you are still pursuing your programmes. I know 'YES' will win, but the atmosphere would be charged like Ayawaso by-elections.
Humiliation?Let the electorate take a decision. It doesn't take anything away from the ruling government if it turns out to be a NO vote.Let the referendum go on. That will be a mark of courage with adherence to genuine principles.
What humiliation are you talking about? If yes wins political parties will participate and if no, the status quo remains. The president will continue to appoint Npp members as MMDCEs much to the benefit of the Npp. So where from this humiliation? Actually, head or tail the Npp wins.