A Project Development Management Consultant, Kojo Impraim has stressed the need for capacity building for the media and Civil Society Organization, CSO actors, especially those at the sub-national level of governance, and the citizens to understand the nuances and elements of the laws/articles, and hold themselves in preparedness for the proposed Referendum for the Creation of New Regions on December 27, the September 2019 District Assembly elections, referendum for the elections of MMDCEs, and the 2023 first multi-party democracy election at the local government.
Speaking at the launch of an 18-month GJA/Local Governance project in Accra, Mr. Impraim pointed out that it is imperative for the reforms to examine article 55 (3) and the contradiction or otherwise, it has in marrying with article 35 (6d) of the 1992 constitution.
Furthermore ,Article 55 (3) has seemingly marginalized and excluded political parties from local governance, from the proponents of partisan elections at the local government, which is a grave concern for the local governance process.
He said the Constitutional Review Commission, the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee, and Government White Paper in 2012 all looked at the issues extensively.
And it is very critical that journalists abreast themselves of the issues , working together with CSOs who have the data to educate the public, with the view to creating an informed citizenry in moving forward government’s agenda of local governance reforms.
The GJA/STAR-Ghana partnership is themed ”Enhanced Media-CSOs for inclusive Local Governance”. The project seeks to among other things; Create media platforms for purposeful collaboration between journalists and STAR-Ghana grant partners to promote inclusive local governance.
It is also expected to Empower journalists and citizens with knowledge on the District Assembly elections, referendum, constitutional and other legislative amendment processes.
By Rebecca Ekpe
