Gov’t misleading Ghanaians on referendum – Coalition for National Sovereignty

A political pressure group, Coalition for National Sovereignty has condemned what it says is the shameful deception by Government to lure people into casting a YES vote in the upcoming National Referendum.

The December 17 Referendum is to decide whether local level elections should be on partisan political lines.

But the Coalition says the Government, led by the President is misleading citizens into believing that a YES vote merely endorses the right to vote for Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

Bernard Mornah, convener of the group while addressing the press earlier on Wednesday said government’s campaign for a YES vote is an attempt to mislead Ghanaians.

“We commend the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and all progressives who have been part of the aggressive discourse to expose the deliberate and well-calculated attempts by the NPP government and Akufo-Addo to mislead Ghanaians into believing that a Yes vote would allow the people select their Metropolitan, Municipal and District Executives through popular elections.”

“We use this opportunity to condemn in no uncertain terms this shameful deception by government, amplified by the President [Nana Akufo-Addo]. History recounts how the consultative assembly for the 1992 constitution debated and resolved the need to alienate partisanship from District Assembly and unit committee elections”.

The December 17 referendum which is to decide on whether or not political parties should be allowed to sponsor candidates at local level elections has generated heated debate in the country with even parliamentarians divided on the matter.

The National House of Chiefs and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) among other pressure groups are campaigning for electorates to vote 'NO' at the polls.

But the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) believes a 'YES' majority vote holds the magic to the future of Ghana's development.

The 'YES' agenda is also being pushed by the Head of Local Government Service, Nana Ato Arthur who has debunked claims that electing Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will divide the country.

“Accountability, decency, truthfulness and hope for a better future, would be thrown to the dogs the very day we allow political parties to present candidates for election at the local level,” the group said.

A pro-democracy group, FiftyPercentPlusOne believes that there are several indications that the government will see a resounding defeat to its push for a 'YES' vote if the referendum is held.

The group said the government must listen to the calls for a national consensus on the matter before proceeding with the process.

“The reactions by the opposition political parties and National House of Chiefs are indications that the preparations toward the referendum were made without the involvement of major political and religious stakeholders in the country and this is purely undemocratic,” the group said in a statement.

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