UPP endorses December 17 referendum

The chairperson for the United Progressive Party (UPP) Mr. Kenneth Nana Kwame Asamoah has called on Ghanaians to turn out in their numbers and vote positively for the impending referendum on the election of Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) slated for December 17 this year.

This, he said would help the Electoral Commission (EC) deliver on its mandate.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his 2018 State of the Nation Address announced government’s intention to amend Article 55 of the constitution in order to allow political parties participate in local governance.

Per the constitutional standard required to approve the amendment of the referendum, at least 40 per cent of the people must vote and 75 per cent out of the number must vote yes.

The referendum which is expected to be held during the district assembly elections seeks to amend article 55(3) and 243 (1) of the constitution.

The current constitution however bares political parties from participating in district level elections, while MMDCEs are appointed by the President, a move many see as against democratic tenets.

Mr Asamoah, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghanaian Times yesterday indicated that it was very important for Ghanaians to part take in the exercise as it would make MMDCEs more accountable to the people and promote development.

“I am entreating everybody to participate in the process and also use their various social media platforms to create awareness about it so that no one will be left behind. UPP has already begun mass education on the need for Ghanaians to take part in this referendum and we will continue till the day of the election,” he added.

Mr Asamoah further commended indicuduals and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who are leading various campaigns in efforts to increase awareness on the referendum for their contribution towards the move.

Touching on the need for a change in leadership of the country, Mr Asamoah called on the youth to vote out the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the next election and pave way for the UPP “to save the people of Ghana from corruption and hardship.”

“The scandals are just too many, from Power Distribution Service (PDS) scandal to the recent scandal about procurement, enough is enough, it is time for the youth to take over,” he said.

Mr Asamoah also bemoaned the current state of security in the country, saying the assassinations were becoming too rampant and advised members of the public to be careful in their dealings.