The 2016 Independent presidential candidate, Jacob Osei Yeboah, has added his voice to the upcoming December 17 referendum, describing the exercise as a “waste” of public funds by the government.
“The December 17, 2019, is nothing but a “waste” of the nation’s resources. I am appealing to the citizenry to vote No in the upcoming referendum to ensure the local government system remains non-partisan because there is no justification to support the referendum, it is unnecessary and waste of taxpayers’ money,” Mr Yeboah intimated.
He indicated that he was concerned about the monetisation and other militating issues affecting national level elections like the presidential race and insisted that “I want situation at national level “perfected” before introducing it at district assembly level however, the country is not ready for introduction of fully blown partisan politics at local government level. A yes vote will have dire consequences including increase in corruption.”
The debate of the December 17 referendum has caused uproar among political parties and the National House of Chiefs as the traditional rulers tear each other apart over their position.
Earlier, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) urged voters to vote ‘no’ during December 17, 2019, referendum on whether or not 1992 Constitution should be amended to open up local government elections to partisan participation since a ‘yes’ vote will further polarise the nation, particularly local communities along the lines of NPP / NDC,
A statement signed and issued by Togbe Afede XIV and Nana Kweku Ewusi VII, President and Vice-President respectively of the National House of Chiefs, opposing referendum, has drawn fury, denial and harsh remarks among the chiefs.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area and President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, who doubles as chairman of the Governance Committee of the National House of Chiefs, described the statement as bogus, arbitrary and smacked of ‘drunkenness and abuse of power’ by Togbe Afede and Nana Kweku Ewusi.
The Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin and other traditional authorities from the Eastern Region have also distanced themselves from the statement made by the president and the vice of the National House of Chiefs.
Togbe Afede, who does not appear ready to countenance dissent on the matter, has described the reaction of his colleagues as consistent with ‘dishonesty’. -pulse.com.gh
