Prez Akufo Addo begs for YES Votes in MMDCEs election referendum

President Nana Akufo-Addo has pleaded with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives to take the upcoming referendum for the election of MMDCEs seriously and rally voters to vote Yes for the December 17 referendum to determine whether MMDCEs should be elected through balloting or the status quo of presidential appointment remains.

Addressing his appointees at a training programme for MMDCEs in Kumasi, the President reminded that the NPP cannot afford to fail in delivering on its campaign promise, which is crucial to its chances in 2020.

“I’m appealing to you. Let us take this referendum seriously. Speaking on a purely partisan level, it’s going to look very bad if the manifesto commitment by the NPP administration with a year of going to the polls cannot deliver on it. We have to deliver on it otherwise our credibility will be very much at stake in 2020 and since everyone’s position hinges on the victory of the NPP, we should be careful about jeopardizing the chances of the NPP in the elections ahead of us,” …he emphasized…..”

The President who is on a three-day tour of the Ashanti region sounded optimistic about the prospect of elections for MMDCEs-one of his key campaign promises and a priority policy of his administration.

Calls for the election of MMDCEs to strengthen participatory democracy has been championed by civil society groups for over a decade. The Akufo Addo administration has already presented two bills seeking amendments to Articles 243 (1) and 55(3) for the election of MMDCEs and introduction of political party participation in the local elections to Parliament.

All political parties have expressed commitment and are currently working closely with a Coalition of CSOs led by CDD and IDEG to ensure a massive turnout on December 17, when the referendum will be held.

Article 243 (1) of the 1992 Constitution as it stands stipulates that MMDCEs are to be appointed by the President with the prior approval of not less than two-thirds majority of members of the assembly present and voting at the meeting.