The Executive Director for the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) Dr Emmanuel Akwetey who has campaigned vigorously for a ‘yes vote’ has joined calls for the suspension of the December 17 referendum.
According to him, the controversies surrounding the impending exercise must be addressed before it is held.
Speaking on Shaping the Nation Show on Starr FM Monday, the IDEG boss said those calling for the cancellation of the exercise should rethink their position.
“… It could be rescheduling with time specified, but also clearly the machinery for educating people objectively, not the bias thing like we reduce it to in elections. For constitutional amendment it is not a party election, you need consensus and there is a lot of work to be done to get this consensus.
“Not everyone is saying cancel it, and those who are saying cancel it, they must rethink,” he said.
Several groups have either called for the postponement of the exercise or outright cancellation.
On Monday, the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) backed calls for postponement of the Referendum.
Speaking to the media in Koforidua on Monday on the sidelines of a sensitization for market women and identifiable groups on the referendum, the General Secretary of NALAG, Kokro Amankwah stated that inasmuch as the Association is in full support of the President’S decision to devolute power at the local level, it is important for broader consultation and awareness to whip up public interest and support hence agrees with calls for the referendum to be postponed.
“As it is now, Ghanaians have not understood the very thing well. What it means is that we have not reached Ghanaians that much…… If we have been able to reach as many people as possible so that they are informed- the issue is being informed to take a decision not to take the decision out of ignorance that is a danger to democracy. So if we are able to reach enough wider population that we think that Yes it is, but as it is now and looking at December 17th I will think if it is postponed it will help for further engagement so that people will make an informed decision”.
He said NALAG is canvassing for Yes vote on-premise that, partisan election at the local level will be a game-changer to Ghana’s democratic governance in terms of citizen participation, accountability, and development at the local level.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
