GENERAL

MLGRD seek support for massive yes vote referendum to elect MMDCEs
The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), has urge political parties, traditional authorities, media, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and faith base organisations (FBOs) to support the process leading to the election of chief executives of Assemblies in Ghana.

Date Created : 10/8/2019 6:44:37 AM : Story Author : Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanadistricts.com

According to the Ministry, there is the need for sensitization and encouragement of Ghanaians to come out massively to vote in favor of the amendment bill during the December 17, 2019, referendum.

Deputy Minister for the Ministry, Augustine Collins Ntim, in a speech on behalf of the sector Minister Alima Mahama noted that the December 2019 referendum is not election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

“It is amendment to Article 55 (3) of the 1992 constitution to pave way for the elections of MMDCEs on a multi-partisan basis”, he said.



He further added that to ensure a coordinated and total impact, the Ministry in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Electoral Commission, (EC) and the Information Service Division (ISD) of the Information Ministry outdoor a national campaign at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly auditorium last month.

The Deputy Minister made this remarks at the launch of regional sensitization programme on the referendum, by the National Catholic Secretariat in Accra on Friday October 4, 2019.

Per Article 290 (3) of the constitution, forty percent (40) of the qualified voters would have to vote at the National Referendum, while seventy-five (75) of those who voted must vote in favor of the bill.



He further added that since the introduction of the 1992 constitution there has been incessant calls for a change in the manner of appointing MMDCEs, which in the opinion of Ghanaians is undemocratic.

“It is argued that it is undemocratic to superimpose a national government structure that is contested on political party lines over a Local Government system that is non-partisan”, he said.