Ghana Cancels December 17 Referendum

The Ghanaian government has cancelled a national referendum which was earlier scheduled to hold in the country on December 17.

The referendum was being held to decide on an amendment of Article 55 (3) of the West African country’s Constitution to enable political parties to sponsor candidates during local level elections.

The announcement was made by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a brief address to the nation on Sunday, December 1, 2019.

Explaining the decision, he said the absence of “a durable national consensus” on the matter following various consultation led to the decision.

“In these circumstances, I am convinced that it will not serve the public interest to go ahead with the holding of the public referendum on 17th December even though I believe a strong campaign for a yes vote would have succeeded. this is not the kind of atmosphere in which the repeal of an entrenched provision of the constitution should take place,” he said.

He further directed Hajia Alima Mahama, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, to withdraw the Bills seeking to change Articles 55 (3) and 243 (1).

“It is with deep regret that I have given instructions to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development … to abort the process and see to the withdraw of the Bills for the amendment of the constitutions both in respect of Article 243 (1) and Article 55 (3),” he added.