BY: Lambert Coffie | Voltaonlinegh.com |
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has jettisoned government’s plans of amending relevant provisions of the 1992 constitution to allow for the direct election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and also for the involvement of political parties in the country’s local government elections.
In a televised national address Sunday night, the president consequently directed the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, who is spearheading the process, on behalf of government, to abort the process, and see to the withdrawal of the bills for the amendment of the Constitution, both in respect of articles 243(1) and 55(3).
The decision, according to President Akufo-Addo was necessitated by the lack of a broad, national consensus amongst key stakeholders and the populace.
Although there was a general consensus among all stakeholders on the ammenammendment of article 243 (1) to take away the appointing power of the president and allow for the direct election of MMDCEs, there was however a sharp contrast on the Referendum to amend Article 55 (3), to allow for Political Parties participation in the district level elections.
This has generated intense debate among the public, with the biggest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress and some Civil Society groups championing a ‘No’ vote campaign at the referendum.
However, with the government’s latest decision to step down the ammendments, the status quo of the president appointing MMDCEs remains, at least for now.
Watch the full Address Below
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
