A Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Osei Bonsu Amoah, says it was the then Majority in Parliament which wanted a referendum before an amendment to the constitution for the election of MMDCEs.

He said deliberations on the election of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) have begun for quite some time now with the two major political parties in absolute agreement.

He told Abena Tabi on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, November 23 that the two parties agreed that the amendment should be effected.

He said when deliberations on Article 24.3.1 to take away the powers of the president came up in Parliament in July, 2010, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) members wanted a referendum first.

“Our friends on the Majority said we should go for a referendum,” he disclosed, mentioning the likes of Haruna Iddrisu, Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed and Mahama Ayariga as proponents of the referendum.

He said it therefore comes as strange for the party to take a U-turn.