Ayawaso MCE urges residents to vote YES in Dec 17 referendum
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly, Madam Sandra Owusu Ahinkorah has urged residents of the area to vote an "emphatic yes" in the upcoming December 17 referendum which will pave the way for the amendment of the 1992 constitution to enable political parties to sponsor candidates for local level elections.
According to Madam Ahinkorah, voting "yes" will cure the incidence of "winner takes all" in Ghanaian politics and ensure that parties will nominate competent candidates for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) elections.
At a durbar for residents of the Assembly to deliberate on the 'December 17 Referendum' at the La Bawaleshie School Park on November 26, she said a "yes" vote will deepen democracy by ensuring that competence will never be overlooked in favour of party colours.
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"You will agree with me that the phenomenon of winner takes all has deprived several communities and assemblies the much-needed service of very hardworking and competent MMDCES simply because their party lost power.
"I am sure you are equally aware that in time past some people were awarded MMDCES because they were the best puppets and knew how to say 'yes sir and massa'. If you vote 'yes' you are helping deepen democracy by ensuring that competence will never be overlooked in favour of party colours. A yes vote is for accountability, development, competence and effectiveness".
She also commended President Akufo-Addo for showing courage and visionary leadership throughout the process.
"I will like to agree with Togbui Amenya Fiti of Aflao paramountcy in calling the President Nana Akufo-Addo a man of his words and the one who walks his talk," she said.
"The President promised that when he is given the opportunity to serve our great nation he will ensure that the position of MMDCES will be an elected one. Today we can all bear witness to the fact that the President is giving away his power of appointing or to put it rightly rewarding hardworking party faithful with over 250 positions".