The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged Ghanaians to participate massively in the upcoming referendum for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) scheduled for December this year.

Mr. Jobila M. Zakari, the Techiman Municipal Director of the Commission gave the advice at a public forum organised by the Justice and Peace Committee of the Holy Family Catholic Church at Kenten in the Techiman Municipality of Bono East Region.

Mr Zakari said the essence of the referendum was to seek the opinion of the general public on whether the President of the republic should continue to appoint MMDCEs or not.

The referendum is therefore seeking to amend Articles 243 (1) and 55 (3) which are among entrenched provisions in the 1992 Fourth Republican Constitution of Ghana, he added.

As stipulated in the constitution, Article 243 (1) empowers the President of the Republic to appoint MMDCEs while Article 55 (3) also prohibits partisan elections to public office at the District Assembly level.

Mr Zakari reiterated that the constitutional amendment, if effected would improve decentralisation and participatory processes, ensure transparency and public accountability in the local governance system to enhance the Country’s democracy.

Mr. Issah Adam, the Assemblyman for Kenten Electoral Area expressed the need for MMDCEs to be elected on a partisan basis, saying that would empower the electorate to hold them accountable for their stewardship.”