How much was spent on 'abortive' referendum? – Okudzeto asks gov't

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on the government to disclose to Ghanaians how much it spent on the “abortive” referendum and the steps it is taking to prevent any more financial loss to the state.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a televised address to the nation on Sunday, 1 December 2019, called off the referendum scheduled for 17 December 2019, citing the lack of a broad national consensus among key stakeholders and the populace.

Mr Akufo-Addo, thus, instructed the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, who is spearheading the process, on behalf of government, to abort the process, and see to the withdrawal of the bills for the amendment of the Constitution, both in respect of Article 243(1) and Article 55(3).

The President indicated the attainment of a broad consensus, for him, on a matter as important as the amendment of an entrenched provision of the Constitution, is critical.

Mr Ablakwa, in a Facebook post, said: “Congratulations to the NDC and the ‘Vote No’ Coalition. Perhaps, those who mock the concept of a people’s manifesto will begin to better appreciate that sacred principle – government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

On the issue of accountability, Mr Ablakwa said: “As transparency and accountability demands – can the 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, especially as we are aware printing of ballot papers and other ancillary expenditures had long-commenced?”