C.I on new regions unavailable to MPs – Dominic Ayine

Former Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine has expressed concerns over the unavailability of copies of the Constitutional Instrument (C.I) 109 on the referendum for new regions to Members of Parliament.

Mr. Ayine in a Citi News said the unavailability of the C.I is making it difficult for Members of Parliament to make up their minds as to whether to support the decision to create new regions or not.

“I think it is a big source of concern. The reason being that this is a very important constitutional instrument. An instrument that is aimed at the creation of new regions for the country. Members up till now still do not have copies of the instrument.

“The question is when members do not have the full complement of information, how can they make up their minds? I think that as a matter of urgency, leadership must make the instrument available to all members of Parliament,” Mr. Ayine said.

Publicity on the referendum for new regions 'low' – Special Budget C'ttee

Parliament's Special Budget Committee also raised concerns with the level of publicity associated with the upcoming referendum on the creation of new regions.

The concern came up at a crucial meeting between the Committee and the Electoral Commission.

The Deputy Ranking Member of the Committee, Yaw Frimpong Addo who made this known in a Citi News interview was, however, quick to add that the EC is putting resources together to embark on intensive publicity ahead of the referendum.

“We had a couple of concerns with the publicity, and they assured us that they are marshaling all resources to embark on publicity for ten days…Once they have assured us, we should take them by their word and move on.”

The referendum for the carving out of the regions is slated for the 27th of December.

Background
Processes are currently underway for the creation of six additional regions in the country following a recommendation by a commission of inquiry.

The commission submitted its report to the president a few months ago.

The 19-member Commission after holding nationwide consultations urged the government to create the administrative regions to be known as Oti, Ahafo, Brong East, Western North, North East, and Savanna.

A referendum is expected to be held in the selected areas before the new regions are created.

But some stakeholders in some of the areas especially from parts of the Volta Region are opposed to the move.

Government and the Electoral Commission have  already been slapped with two different suits   over the issue.

'We're not breaking any law in creating new regions' – Nana Addo

President Nana Akufo-Addo had earlier mounted a spirited defense of his administration's move to create new regions saying it does not violate the 1992 constitution.

Speaking at a meeting with some chiefs from the Volta Region at the Jubilee House in October 2018, President Akufo-Addo said the government is going according to the dictates of the constitution.

“I would not be party to anything that attempts to subvert the constitution of Ghana. I fought all my life for constitutional rule in this country, and if I become president and I am the one undermining the constitution, then I'm making nonsense of myself. I wouldn't do that. I don't see this thing as having anything to do with ambitions, dislike or hostility, no. So Torgbui, through you and the senior chiefs that have come with you, I'm pleading with you, let the temperature on this matter come down,” he pleaded.

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By: Marian Ansah | citinewsroom.com | Ghana
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