Tony Dogbe, a
social development facilitator, has cautioned that the election of Metropolitan
Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on partisan basis will result
in chaotic political system resulting in abuse of power at the local level,
just as it happens at the national level and also deepen corruption at the
assemblies.
“We will have a situation where political parties
capture all the space, if we don’t reform and move the system to local level,
it is going to create a mess and can we imagine what is going to happen if we
formalise political parties participation at that level?” he quizzed.
However, Dr
Nana Arthur, the Head of Local Government Service, debunked the claim electing
MMDCEs will divide the country thereby create a chaotic system and corruption
at assemblies but rather strengthen local governance and hasten growth and
development.
He called for concerted efforts and intensified
campaign to achieve a convincing ‘YES’ vote in the upcoming referendum on
December 17, 2019.
According to Mr Dogbe “We must vote ‘NO’ and tell
the president and his appointees to review the 1992 Constitution to bring in checks
and balances before we feel comfortable to allow political parties operate at
the level, if not, we are adding more fuel to fire.”
“It is to strengthen grassroots democracy and
good governance, New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress members
are part of assemblies and form parliament I don’t think it is going to divide
the nation, referendum is to pave the way for election of MMDCEs and also allow
for political participation at local level elections.
“Appointed MMDCEs are often insecure
because they may be sacked at any time by the president who appoints them hence
focus their work on pleasing him however, when they are elected, the situation
will change, they will derive powers from communities, forced to ensure
development needs are met,” Dr Arthur assured. -citinewsroom.com