Okyenhene endorses ‘YES’ vote for December 17 referendum

The Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II is urging voters at the 17th December, 2019 national referendum to vote ‘Yes’ to pave the way for the amendment of the 1992 constitution to enable political parties sponsor candidates for local level elections.

The Okyenhene who is also President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, said in a statement that amending article 55(3) of the Constitution to provide the choice for Ghanaians to contest for local government office on either partisan or non-partisan platforms will provide the needed space for greater citizen participation in governance.

The public statement issued by D.M. Ofori-Atta, the Okyeman State Secretary, called on the public to reject “calls from certain quarters urging the good people of Ghana to vote against the amendment of the Constitution”, saying “It is not founded on a well-considered understanding of the greater national interest.”

OKYENHENE ENDORSES THE YES VOTE FOR THE DECEMBER 17TH REFERENDUM

18TH NOVEMBER, 2019

The Okyenhene and President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs wishes to express his support for the amendment of article 55(3) of the Constitution which will provide the choice for Ghanaians to contest for local government office on either partisan or non-partisan platforms.

The Osagyefuo welcomes the amendment with the understanding that it limits the executive authority of the President and thus provide the needed space for greater citizen participation in governance.

Political parties are established and recognized public platforms that shapes, plans and evolve strategies and ideas for social economic development, and cannot be excluded in the crucial area of local government.

Political party participation in local government politics is practiced all over the world; Ghana cannot remain an exception.

Under the current system, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are appointed by a partisan President who also by unchecked discretion chooses a third of the membership of the Assembly.

Most MMDCEs are rejected partisan politicians at the polls (defeated parliamentary candidates) who later by intrigues and back door tactics of central government impose themselves on the people.