Sunday 11th November, 2019
PRESS RELEASE
*VOTE NO DURING THE REFERENDUM ON THE ELECTION OF MMDCES – ASEPA URGES GHANAIANS*
Upon careful study and wide consultation by the Legal and Constitutional team of ASEPA and subsequent briefings from local governance experts, we have come to the conclusion that election of MMDCES on a partisan basis provides a *real threat* to the local government architecture of this Country.
Considering how divisively Partisan Politics at the highest level has dragged the development of this Country, it would be almost suicidal and setting this Country on a path of self-destruct if we attempt to extend the cold hands of partisan politics to the local level where the drivers of development actually thrives.
Suffice to say that we are actually in support of the election of MMDCES by universal adult suffrage, and no one should misconstrue our position on the subject matter.
However there are fundamental clauses in the current amendment bill that is a huge affront to the rationale behind the election of MMDCES.
Once those Clauses are properly amended and duely to reflect the kind of change, productivity and efficiency we desire at the local level, we shall also amend our position to support the process of electing MMDCEs.
For now we outrightly support the election of MMDCES but *NOT on partisan basis.*
We therefore urge all Ghanaians to go out in their numbers to Vote *NO* during the Referendum to push Government back to Parliament to process the necessary amendments that will push the public interests to the fore rather than the Partisan Political interests.
With Regards
Mensah Thompson
Executive Director, ASEPA
0542120628
Cc.
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