By
Albert Allotey, GNA
Accra, Nov. 14, GNA
– Madam Mariama Karley Amui, the Municipal Chief Executive for Ablekuma
Central, has said the proposed amendment of Article 55 (3) of the 1992
Constitution is a laudable idea and the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
deserves commendation.
She said: “It is
indeed a bold step by His Excellency the President since he is voluntarily
giving up his power of appointing Metropolitan, Municipal, District Chief
Executives (MMDCEs) and that it is a selfless and visionary gesture that must
be applauded.”
Madam Amui made the
commendation when the Assembly held its first town hall meeting at
Lartebiokorshie to create awareness on the forthcoming election of assembly
members, Unit Committee members and the referendum on the Article 55 clause 3
of the Constitution on December 17, 2019.
She called on the
citizenry to vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum for the amendment of the Article to
allow political parties to participate in District Level Elections.
Madam Amui said the
government led by President Akufo-Addo is determined to expand the frontiers of
governance and decentralisation and to make the people the drivers and
beneficiaries of development.
“It is for this
reason that government desires to involve the people in local governance
through the election of MMDCEs,” she said.
The Chief Executive
said the election of MMDCEs by popular vote would increase accountability and
also increase the participation of ordinary citizens in local governance,
adding “this is ample manifestation of direct democracy.”
Madam Amui urged the
public to go out in their numbers on December 17 to vote for their assembly
members, unit committee members as well as the referendum.
She called on
traditional leaders, religious leaders, youth groups, women groups and every
individual to become ambassadors of the district level elections and the
referendum.
“Please use your
position and influence in society and every opportunity to educate your
community on the exercise. We know that with you on board the exercise will be
a resounding success for the Ablekuma Central and the entire nation,” she
appealed.
Mr Joseph Addo
Boateng, the Ablekuma Central Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission,
took the gathering through the process of the referendum, the election of the
assembly members and unit committee members.
He asked the
participants to share the education they have acquired with community members,
their households, church members and friends for them to become aware of the
referendum and the district level elections on December 17.
Madam Comfort
Azalletey, the Ablekuma Central Municipal Director of the National Commission
for Civic Education, called on the electorate to come out in their numbers on
December 17, to vote because it was their civic right and responsibility to
help in the development of the country.
She said over the
years the turnout in assembly elections has been very low because many are
unacquainted with the roles and responsibilities of assembly members and the
unit committee members in the development of our electoral areas.
GNA
