The Dean of University of Cape Coast School of Business, Prof. John Gatsi is asking the government if election 2020 will be held in the event that ‘it is very clear on the lips of Ghanaians to vote in a particular direction?’
In a an article published on AwakeNewsRoom.com, Prof. John Gatsi has asked government four critical questions following the President’s decision to call off the December 17 Referendum which was seeking to introduce partisan politics into the local governance system in Ghana.
The President in his shot address said on Sunday evening, called off the holding of the Referendum of 17th December, 2019, citing the lack of a broad, national consensus amongst key stakeholders and the populace.
President Akufo-Addo said he has instructed the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama, MP, who is spearheading the process, on behalf of the government, to abort the process, and see to the withdrawal of the bills for the amendment of the Constitution, both in respect of article 243(1) and Article 55(3).
The President also cited the opposition NDC decision to campaign NO despite their earlier stands to go for the amendment of article 55(3).
This Prof. John Gatsi said the “Suspension of Dec. 17 referendum to trigger serious questions for 2020 election
According to him, “To organize an election for only one expected outcome amplifies gravitation towards reverse democracy.” explaining that “In an outcome of “No Votes” becoming popular in the intended December Referendum will only mean Ghanaians want to move on without amending Article 55(3).”
“If it is very clear on the lips of Ghanaians to vote in a particular direction, will election 2020 be held?” – Prof. Gatsi quizzed
For him, “The signal sent by the withdrawal or suspension can skew inward investment decisions by foreign investors. It has huge implications for 2020 economic management and election expectations.”
The Controversies
The Referendum was hit by huge controversy and public outcry. Firstly, the public said the picture was painted as though the referendum was aimed at given the power for the citizen to election their own MMDCEs.
This was affirmed when media reports suggested that “President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians to turn out in their numbers on December 17, to vote ‘Yes’ in the Referendum to elect Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCE).” He was reported to have made this call when he was “speaking at the 30th-anniversary celebration of the Akatsi District Assembly, on Monday, November 2, 2019 at the start of his two-day tour of the Volta Region”
President Akufo-Addo said to have noted that the district assembly concept, introduced under the Rawlings era, is one of the most important contributions to the improvement of Ghana’s national governance.
“Now, it is time to deepen the process that began 31 years ago, and entrust to the people full sovereignty over the election of the MMDCEs and members of the District Assemblies,” he stated.
On November 9, 2019, The Chairperson of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) was reported to have indicated that the national referendum scheduled for December 17 is to allow citizens vote for the amendment of the constitutional provision which currently prevents political parties from participating in District Level Elections (DLEs).
She thus clarified that it is not meant to the election of the MMDCEs contrary to what President Akufo-Addo was reported to have said.
“The Commission wishes to clarify that the 2019 National Referendum is to enable citizens to vote on the proposed amendment of Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution that currently bars political parties from participating in District Level Elections (DLEs).”
“The proposed amendment is to introduce multi-party participation in the Local Government system in Ghana,” a statement from the NCCE clarified.
According to the NCCE, this provision as entrenched in the constitution can only be amended if 40% of persons eligible to vote to show up and 75% of the voters vote ‘YES’ in favour of the amendment.
Vote NO campaigners
The National House of Chiefs has openly kicked against the introduction of partisan politics to our local governance system. It is also on record that while the National Democratic Congress, the Progressive Peoples Party and other progressive forces are advocating for a NO vote, whiles the governing New Patriotic Party is unremittingly canvassing for a YES vote.
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / awakenewsroom.com
