Municipal Chief Executive for Ayawaso West Wuogon Municipal Assembly Sandra Owusu-Ahinkorah has on behalf of her assembly declared support for a ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming December 17 referendum.

She made the declaration Tuesday at a durbar organised by the assembly at the La Bawuleshie School Park to enlighten her constituent’s on the tenets of the upcoming as well as clear certain misconceptions.

On December 17, Ghana will go to the polls in a referendum to decide of political parties should partake in local level polls. Currently, the law does not allow parties to participate.

According to Madam Owusu-Ahinkorah, the referendum will deepen democracy by ensuring competency.

“We understand the crucial role MMDCEs play in Local governance and for that matter we the MMDCES cannot keep quiet on issues that border on such an important development institution.

“If you vote ‘yes’ you are helping deepen democracy by ensuring that competence will never be overlooked in favour of party colours. A ‘yes’ vote is for accountability, development, competence and effectiveness,” she declared.

“We are here first of all to address some misconceptions about the 17th December referendum and also to declare an emphatic YES on December.” she added.

She outlined benefits of the referendum noting “there are many good reasons and I will list some of them: the referendum will cure the incidence of winner takes all, to ensure that competent and better candidates are put forward by parties, to accelerate development and to put the power to appoint and remove from office in the hands of electorates.”

She mentioned others as accountability, increased turnout during voting and that smaller parties can also contribute to governance.”

She also noted that “the phenomenon of winner takes all has deprived several communities and assemblies the much needed service of very hardworking and competent MMDCES simply because their party lost power.”

The Ayawaso West Wuogon municipal assembly was carved out of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in March 2018 with LI2312 and is considered the most elite municipality as it comprises of neighborhoods such as Legon, East Legon, Dzorwulu, Roman Ridge amongst others.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM