Akufo-Addo acted in bad faith - Social media reacts to withdrawal of MMDCEs bill

Discontent and anger have greeted President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision to withdraw the amendment of Article 243/1 from Parliament.

The amendment, had it been completed, would allow Ghanaians to elect their own Metropolitan, Municipal, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

However, in a live television address to the nation, President Akufo-Addo announced a withdrawal of the bill together with another amendment that could have introduced partisan politics at the Assemblies had it been approved in a referendum.

The President cited lack of consensus for the Referendum question, on the political party participation in local government, for the withdrawals.

How are the two amendments related?

Article 243/1 empowers the President to appoint the MMDCEs. Its amendment is supposed to take place in Parliament by two-thirds members of the House as it is not an entrenched clause.

As the MMDCEs fall under the Assemblies, their election would be non-partisan due to the barrier Article 55/3 places on political party participation at that level.

To make the election of MMDCEs partisan, the government then proceeded to ask Ghanaians to vote in a referendum to repeal Article 55/3.

But the opposition NDC who had earlier cooperated with the government, declared it would not support the introduction of partisan politics to the Assemblies.

National Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo said at a press conference in Accra that the party would actively campaign for ‘NO’ in the referendum.

The “U-turn” caused a rift between the two biggest parties, triggering calls for the referendum on political party participation at local government to be withdrawn.

Heeding the calls, President Akufo-Addo withdrew the referendum bill but also withdrew the bill on election of MMDCDEs, sparking anger on social media.

“Looks suspiciously like petulance by government.”If you won't vote yes then we won't vote for MMDCEs at all" a Twitter user wrote

“Politicians don’t want democracy so it’s either their way or no other way

Why are they withdrawing the voting of MMDCES? They are a bunch of hypocrites and we the citizens must come together and fight this kind of lies and deceit,” Austine, another user wrote.

President Akufo Addo has also acted in bad faith like the NDC(No vote)
He promised us he will let us elect our MMDCES and there was no caveat so why is he reneging on that promise
Politicians are never to be trusted

— Austine Woode (@obiMpenaAustine) December 1, 2019

the whole premise of the Referendum started on a deception @NAkufoAddo. You made it to look like we were going to vote YES/NO to elect our own MMDCES but it was a lie. You lied and was exposed. If you truly want us to vote for our local authorities, tell parliament to act.

— Nungua_RickRoss???????????????? (@I_am_Biggi) December 1, 2019

I don't want to believe that folks could incognizant to the extent that,they thought they will vote no to partisan local govt elections and still get to vote for MMDCEs? Then again folks did believe that 147m got burnt,so what do I know?

— PDS Is Problematic (@PearlRosalyn) December 2, 2019

@NAkufoAddo allow Ghanaians to elect MMDCEs in a non-partisan manner. Ghana already has unbearable partisanship @ the top. Why are you insisting on your way? How much taxpayer's money has been wasted so far? Even after your address adverts were still running on the referendum.

— Edward Omane Boamah (@eomaneboamah) December 2, 2019

Aborted!!!

Just amend 243(1), non entrenchment clause and let's elect our MMDCEs.

Power to the people.!!!!!#Referendum

— Ben Koku Glover (@glovben) December 1, 2019

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