The Minister
in-charge of Grace Presbyterian Church in Tema, The Reverend Lawrence Tete, has
cautioned that there are clouds of confusion about the referendum and the
government must withhold it and deal with the chaotic situation.
He noted that “what the government should
be focusing on at the moment should be how to deal with the chaos and
misunderstanding a section of the citizenry are portraying regarding the
involvement of political parties at the district assembly level elections.
Rev Tete, who also doubles as the Director of
Ecumenical and Social Relations for the Ga Presbytery, said “at the
moment, there are clouds of confusing in the minds of other well-meaning
citizens”, and indicated that “various forms of
misunderstanding, for which reason the
government must do broader consultation.
“Looking at what went on during national
elections where there is backbiting, insults, use of vulgar language,
vigilantism, intimidation and threat of death on the citizenry, with such
issues on hand, the government needs to rather deal with challenges before
amending Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution.
“When the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
declared in Election 2016 Manifesto it will see to it that Metropolitan
Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are elected, they never
mentioned involvement of political parties until processes started when it was
realised it was proposed the citizenry should vote on engagement of political
parties in local elections in ‘yes’ or ‘no’ referendum which has nothing to do
with election of MMDCEs.
“Election of MMDCEs is an important section
of proposal the government is bringing on board, but inclusion of political
parties in local elections is not necessary, it is unfortunate how politics is
turning into issues some members of political parties take entrenched
positions.
“NPP is advocating ‘yes’, while National
Democratic Congress (NDC) is campaigning for ‘no’, it is not what the citizenry
need, they need proper information on both sides to make informed decisions,
political parties should not decide for us, we are aware political parties
sponsor candidates to contest at local level, but the constitution frowns on it
as unlawful, and they cannot do it open, thereby peaceful to some extent,”
Rev Tete intimated.
He urged the citizenry not to be deceived by
what the politicians were saying but seek more information on issues and
implications as decisions could affect lives in future. -gna.org
