Mr Ablakwa who congratulated the NDC and the ‘No vote coalition’ following the cancellation in a Facebook post, has raised concerns over the cost of the now-aborted process.

 “As transparency and accountability demands: can Government now disclose how much it has spent on this abortive referendum thus far; and steps being taken to prevent any more financial loss to the state,” the post read.

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“Especially as we are aware printing of ballot papers and other ancillary expenditures had long commenced,” the North Tongu MP noted.

The referendum was to decide on an amendment of Article 55 (3) of the Constitution to enable political parties to participate in local level elections.

However, President Akufo-Addo, the cancellation of the referendum in a national address on Sunday, saying there was no “durable national consensus” on the matter.

The President has therefore directed the Local Government and Rural Development ministry to withdraw the Bills seeking to amend Articles 55 (3) and 243 (1).

See Facebook post below:

President Akufo-Addo in an address to the nation on Sunday, December 1, 2019, said the decision to rescind the referendum was due to the lack of a broad, national consensus among key stakeholders and the Ghanaian populace.

Reacting to the President’s decision, some Ghanaians took to social media to praise President Akufo-Addo for his boldness in taking such a decision, calling him a true statesman and a listening President.

Others, however, condemned the President for not undertaking necessary due diligence and making proper consultations before taking such a decision.  

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