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Election of MMDCEs will deepen accountability

By Christopher Tetteh/Emelia Anane Nyiedoor,
GNA

Techiman (BE/R), Oct. 14, GNA – The election
of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will end
the winner takes all syndrome, deepen accountability and speed up holistic
development.

This is because it is not the President who
would be appointing the MMDCEs, but the electorate through an election,
provided Ghanaians vote 70 per cent yes out 40 per cent eligible voter turnout
required by the constitution in the impending Referendum slated for December 17
this year.

Mr Kofi Amoakohene, the Bono East Regional
Minister stated this when he launched the Public Awareness and Sensitisation
Campaign on the amendment of article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution at
Techiman in the Bono East Region.

The Programme, organised by the National
Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in partnership with the Electoral
Commission and the Information Services Department was supported by the
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

It was attended by traditional rulers,
religious leaders, representatives of Ghana Federation of Disabilities,
students, political parties’ representatives, personnel of the security
services, government workers and the general public.

Mr Amoakohene, also the Member of Parliament
for Atebubu-Amanten explained the voting (on December 17) would not only be for
the Referendum, but also the election of Assembly and Unit Committee Members to
facilitate local governance.

He emphasised “if we fail to vote for the 70
per cent yes in the Referendum, we have done ourselves a disservice, as we will
lose the opportunity to determine for ourselves who should lead us as our
MMDCEs.

“This is where the Fourth Republican
Constitution has vested absolute power into the citizens to decide who should
lead and account to them in governance, so “let’s all endeavor to go and
exercise our franchise”, Mr. Amoakohene stressed.

He explained the 70 per cent yes vote, if
achieved would give grass root citizens the chance to participate actively in
the local-governance process and make-informed decisions that would contribute
to the prosperity of the nation.

Mr Amoakohene implored politicians to be
humane and allow a sense of fellow-feeling and empathy to permeate in their
political endeavors for the general well-being of the populace.

Mr Samuel Asare Akuamoah, a Deputy Chair of
the NCCE in-charge of Programmes and Operations said the amendment of the
article 55 (3) would enhance the democratic dispensation and ensure progress in
the process of local governance.

GNA

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