Akufo -Addo is a ‘coward’ if he cancels referendum –Franklin Cudjoe

Franklin Cudjoe, Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, has stated that it will amount to cowardice if the President is considering the option of cancelling the December 17 Referendum on whether or not political parties should take part in local level government elections.

“Anyone contemplating cancelling the referendum is not bold. Isn’t the battle the Lord’s anymore? God is still in the miracle biz!” he wrote on his Facebook timeline sighted by MyNewsGh.com.

Mr Cudjoe’s view comes on the back of calls by some persons for a cancellation or withdrawal of the December 17 referendum.

Others persons, notably Dr Emmanuel Akwetey of the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), have called for a postponement of the referendum so as to allow for broader consultations on the issue.

The controversy on whether or not the referendum should proceed is as a result of a “no vote” campaign which seems to be gathering steam. The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has always campaigned for a yes vote, an amendment of article 55(3), which will allow for political parties to participate in local government elections. But opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) supports a “no vote” after initially supporting a yes vote.

The lack of consensus by the two main political parties means the “yes vote” supported by the NPP is likely to fail given that 40% of all voters must turn out to vote and 75% of them must vote Yes for the amendment to take place.

Meanwhile, lawyers are divided on whether or not the Executive led by the President can cancel or withdraw the referendum.