General News of Thursday, 7 November 2019
Source: citinewsroom.com
2019-11-07
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A social development facilitator, Tony Dogbe, has warned that the election of Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on partisan lines will result in a more chaotic political system.
He says the move will lead to abuse of power at the local level, just as it happens at the national level.
Speaking on the Point of View on Citi TV, Tony Dogbe said a YES vote in the referendum will also deepen corruption at the assemblies.
“We will have a situation where political parties capture all the space. If we don’t reform and move that kind of system to the local level, it is going to create a mess. Can we now imagine what is going to happen if we formalise political parties participation at that level?”
“Ghanaians must vote NO and tell the president and his people to go and do the necessary total review of the constitution to bring in the checks and balances before we will feel comfortable to let the political parties operate at that level if not, then we are adding more fuel to the fire”, Tony Dogbe added.
Meanwhile, the Head of Local Government Service, Nana Ato Arthur has debunked claims that electing MMDCEs will divide the country.
He said such a move will rather strengthen local governance and hasten development in the country.
Nana Ato Arthur has thus called for concerted efforts and intensified campaign to achieve a convincing ‘YES’ vote in the upcoming referendum in December.
“I believe that it is the only way to ensure strengthened grassroots democracy in Ghana. When you go to the assemblies, NDC and NPP people are there, are they divided? When you go to Parliament, NDC and NPP people are there, are they divided? I don’t think it is going to divide this nation, rather it will strengthen democracy at the local level,” he said.
The referendum is to pave the way for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives and to also allow for political participation at the local level elections.
At the moment, there is an ongoing campaign by political parties, civil society groups and other stakeholders on the need for Ghanaians to vote YES in the upcoming exercise but some persons have said that voting for MMDCEs on partisan lines will not auger well for the country’s growing democracy.
Already, President Akufo-Addo has asked Ghanaians to turn out in their numbers on December 17, 2019, and vote ‘Yes’ in the Referendum.
