IMANI Africa President, Franklin Cudjoe is of the firm belief that the angst of the "No" vote campaigners in the aborted referendum reflect things Ghanaians are not happy about.
In a Facebook post, Mr Cudjoe wrote that even as the government has withdrawn the referendum, they (government) should not think that they are impacting lives as the macro stories are stating.
"I believe, however, the angst of the 'NO' campaigners is subtly about just everything people are not happy about. So, while there has been a retreat on the referendum, I think the government must demonstrate beyond believable macro stories that they are indeed impacting lives- not easy but they can else, they'd be in overdrive in 2020," his post read.
Chronicling major events that have happened in 2019, Franklin Cudjoe wrote that, the President took a cue from the major inequality protests around the globe hence his decision to retreat on the December 17 referendum.
"Looks like 2019 is the year of protests. Hong Kong, France, Lebanon, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Guinea, Malta, Iraq, Iran etc. Some protests have led to resignations and sacking of presidents. The protests are largely about inequality though. Looks like our President took a cue from the marauding 'NO' referendum campaigners and beat a retreat."
Withdrawal of referendum
President Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation on Sunday, December 1, 2019, stated that his government will work to attain a broad national consensus on the referendum because it is important, as the amendment of an "entrenched provision of the Constitution", is critical.
He said, “I do not believe that such an amendment should be driven as a party matter. There has to be a clear national consensus and agreement amongst the populace that a particular entrenched provision no longer serves the interest of the people, and thus, has to be removed."
Below is Franklin's full post on Facebook
"Looks like 2019 is the year of protests. Hong Kong, France, Lebanon, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Guinea, Malta, Iraq, Iran etc. Some protests have led to resignations and sacking of presidents. The protests are largely about inequality though. Looks like our President took a cue from the marauding NO referendum campaigners and beat a retreat. I believe, however, the angst of the NO campaigners is subtly about just everything people are not happy about. So, while there has been a retreat on the referendum, I think the government must demonstrate beyond believable macro stories that they are indeed impacting lives- not easy but they can else, they'd be in overdrive in 2020. That said, IMANI has a story on what percentage of the ruling government's promises as contained in the 2016 manifesto have been attained. That would be soon. We wish the government well."
Franklin Cudjoe with President Akufo-Addo