The continuous delay in appointing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) is severely impacting the operations of local governance structures in the country, a local governance expert, Dr Richard Fiadamor, has said.
That, he said, meant that the General Assembly of the various assemblies could not meet to make policies and by-laws, ultimately affecting residents living within the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
Dr Fiadamor, who is also the President of the Chamber for Local Governance, said that in response to a question posed by the Daily Graphic on the implications of the delayed appointment of MMDCEs on local governance and development in the country.
"As the President's representative, they oversee the day-to-day administration of the MMDAs and chair the Executive Committees, which are responsible for approving reports and summoning general assembly meetings," he said.
Advertisement
"The Honourable Assembly Members are unable to execute their legislative functions properly, and the sub-committees and general assemblies cannot meet to conduct assembly business," he explained.
Context
Though sources close to the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) party insist that the appointment process of MMDCEs has been ongoing, no official announcement has been made yet.
This has created anxiety and speculation among stakeholders, including local government officials, traditional leaders and residents in the 261 MMDAs across the country.
Some loyalists of the ruling party have so far undergone interviews in the various regional capitals and are awaiting their appointments.
However, another group of supporters of the NDC had expressed concern over the delay of MMDCE appointments, which they claimed, was affecting the operations of the assemblies.
The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs is yet to comment on the delay, but sources say that the appointment process is ongoing and that an announcement to that effect will be made shortly.
Impact
Dr Fiadamor stated that another negative impact of the long delay was the absence of the important role MMDCEs played as chairpersons of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Security Committees, which largely could not be successfully executed in their absence because there would be no one with the requisite powers to coordinate the activities of the security agencies.
Dr Fiadomor said the absence of the MMDCEs would also affect the renewal of contracts, which might have expired or contracts that had to be abrogated for non-performance.
“It also means that no capital or development projects can be initiated as the MMDCEs are the chairpersons on the Tender Committees of the MMDAs,” the local governance expert said.
Background
President John Dramani Mahama, on January 8, 2025, revoked the appointments of all MMDCEs appointed under the previous administration with immediate effect.
The decision was conveyed in a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama.
The revocation came under the authority granted to the President by the Local Government Act of 2016 (Act 936) as amended by the Local Government (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act 940).
The 1992 Constitution grants the President the power to appoint MMDCEs, subject to approval by the local assembly members.
