Referendum: CSO Backs ‘NO’ Vote

The Coalition for National Sovereignty, CNS, has described as deliberate and calculated attempts by the New Patriotic Party, NPP, government and President Akufo-Addo to mislead Ghanaians in believing a ‘YES’ vote in the 17th
December Referendum will allow the people select their Metropolitan,
Municipal and District Chief Executives, MMDCE’s, through popular election.

The Coalition expressed shock by what the NPP seeks to achieve with deception to mislead the citizenery to vote for the
introduction of partisanship into local governance.

Addressing a press conference in Accra, the Convener of the Coalition, Mr. Bernard Mornah, condemned the shameful deception by government amplified by the President himself calling on Ghanaians to vote ‘YES’.

He noted that calling on Ghanaians to vote is in contrast to what they had promised in their 2016 manifesto that NPP would oversee the direct election MMDCE’s within 24 months of election into office to coincide with the District Assembly elections in 2019.

He explained that the NPP manifesto promise does not in anyway warrant the conduct of a referendum adding that; article 243 deals with the appointment of MMDCE’s and a non-entreached clause that is required to achieve the promise.

Mr. Mornah recounts how the Consultative Assembly for the 1992 Constitution debated and resolved the need to alienate partisanship from District Assembly and Unit Committee Elections.

According to him, it came up strongly during the work of the Committee of experts who drafted proposals for the 1992 Constitution and Partisan District Assembly was overwhelmingly rejected.

Mr. Mornah said it is the view of the Coalition that the status quo which has stood the test of time be maintained to protect the Intergrity of the local government system.

The Coalition’s position to strongly campaign and vote for ‘NO’ is premised on the fact that Ghana cannot survive at the communal level, the kind of political tension, bigotry, violence and the acrimony the characterize our elections.

Mr. Mornah cited the Ayawaso West Wuogon saying; is still fresh on their minds, the indiscriminate brutalities meted out to innocent citizens had queued to exercise their franchise and the wanton display of lack of compassion for humanity because of political colours.

He noted the current non-partisan nature of the District Assembly elections has served the country well and has promote unity and cohesion at the community level.

Mr. Mornah added that the non-partisan
character of the elections facilitated the mobilization of the people, creates an
environment that is conducive for building consensus, and removes the acrimony associated with partisan elections.

According to him, these factors are crucial to the development efforts at the grassroots level which is an effort that will lift our communities out of the dangerous quagmire of poverty.

Mr. Mornah noted that politics in Ghana has taken an ethnocentric dive since the election of President Akufo-Addo and a vote for ‘YES’ would be a vote for the extension of clanism and ethnocentrism into multi-ethnic communities, where communal spirits are put above political differences.

He stated that while the Coalition supports the idea of popular election of MMDCEs, they are strongly opposed to partisan election of the District Assembly members and the Unit Committee Members.

The Coalition therefore called on all eligible voters to come out in their numbers to vote a big ‘NO’ to reject the amendment of article 55 (3).

The group are calling on all well-meaning Ghanaians, women groups, civil society organizations, faith based organizations, community based organizations to join the campaign for a ‘No’ vote.

Mr. Mornah also urged Ghanaians to be vigilante in the upcoming referendum owing to the experiences of the past referendum on the creation of the new regions in 2018.

He also encouraged all Ghanaians to keenly monitor the conduct of the referendum to ensure that it is done in a free, fair and transparent manner saying; especially considering the fact that some Electoral Commission personal are involved in the campaign for ‘YES’ together with the NPP.

Mr. Mornah said It is a collective responsibility to ensure that the outcome of the referendum is not a stolen verdict but a reflection of the true will and sovereignty of the people of Ghana.

By: ghanaiandemocrat.com