"Nana Addo must be appreciated for submitting his will to Ghanaians" - Nana Atto Arthur

The Head of Local Government Service, Nana Atto Arthur has acknowledged President Akufo Addo’s decision to permit Ghanaians to elect their own local leaders in the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA’s)

He also educated residents in the Oforikrom Municipality to turn up on December 17 and vote in favor of the Referendum to repeal Article 55(3) of the Constitution.

“The president must be acknowledged for such a decision. He has the power to elect 250 MMDCE’s across the country to govern the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies yet he has submitted that will to residents to decide on who fits enough to rule.

“When this happens, whether it’s an Assembly member or Metro Chief Executive contesting for the position, it will rest on the shoulders of the individuals to decide. No more apportioning of blame to the president when things fall out” he said.

Speaking at the Oforikrom Municipality’s Meet the Press programme held on Wednesday, November 6, the Head of Government Service addressed that although the Referendum has been dismissed as a non-partisan exercise in its campaign yet it can never be done without partisan concern due to the electoral impression Ghanaians.

He spoke that the decision of the majority in choosing their leader is a great step in the consolidation of democracy in the country be it partisan or not.

“If the president appoint an MCE to work in a Municipality and the majority of opposition insist on a change, no matter what, they will vote out that person. If they elect someone with a common interest, he or she will satisfy their needs because they voted him or her in to address and satisfy their needs”

“Such people are able to draft a long term development plan for the Assembly and move it in a direction of purpose”

He explained that Chief Executives appointed by the president to administer Metropolis, Municipal and District Assemblies are prone to failure for the reason that they have no clue about the challenges of inhabitants depending majorly on instincts and finding solutions through records. Nana Atto slammed the perceptions of the “winner takes all” principle whenever a president assumes power and appoint Local Government leaders. He encouraged voters to ride it out by voting YES on December 17

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A fore agenda of 40-75 was expounded to educate the gathering that at least 40 percent registered voters must be able to participate with 75 percent affirming on the decision to amend Article 55 (3) of Ghana’s constitution.

Article 55(3) states that “Subject to the provisions of this Article, a political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character, and sponsor candidates for elections to any public office other than to District Assemblies or lower local government units.”

“The Referendum will help integrate the various party leaders chosen by people in the MMDA’s to build a better Nation. If 200 out of the 260 MMDCE’s represent leaders from the incumbent party and the remaining 60 from opposition, it is for the best interest of Ghana”

“If an MCE is accountable to the people (downward accountability) it means he has to heed and attend their needs in order to win their trust during another term. But if we don’t accept the exercise of the referendum, the MCE’s will still be answerable to the government which denies most of the people’s concern,” he added.