Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government is calling for an extension of the date for the upcoming referendum on December 17, 2019.
Hon. Kennedy Agyapong argued that majority of Ghanaians don’t understand the essence of the exercise due to the low publicity and education of the public.
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As Ghana prepares for a constitutional referendum aimed at amending Article 55 (3) of the 1992 constitution, the two leading political parties, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are divided.
The NDC is canvassing for a ‘No’ vote in the upcoming referendum on whether political parties should be allowed to openly participate in the election of assemblymen and women on grounds that, such a move will further divide Ghanaians along party lines.
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The NPP maintains that, a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum will deepen the multiparty system in Ghana.
But Hon. Agyapong, who is also the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, said such an important national exercise may suffer because very little of public discourse has been done.
In an interview with Adom News’ Wiafe Akenten on the sidelines of a town hall meeting in Techiman in the Bono East region, he underscored the need for an extension of the date to ensure everyone buys into the ‘YES’ vote campaign.
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“In my interaction with the people, it is obvious more education is needed to ensure majority of Ghanaians vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum. The date must be extended for more education,” he said.
However, Mr Agyapong said if the government intends to hold the elections on December 17, it needs the support of all party faithful to join in the education to ensure ‘Yes’ vote wins on the day.
Source: Ghana|Adomonline.com|Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman