MMDCE nominations to come out this month – Prez. Akufo-Addo

• Posted on September 6, 2021September 6, 2021
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured Ghanaians that nominations for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will come out this month (September).

Speaking on Skyy Power FM on Saturday 4^th September, the President said there is no lacuna in local governance as his opponents have made it appear because there are people in the position, even though acting. 

According to the President, he instructed the Chief of Staff to extend the tenure of the current MMDCEs so all of them are at post. “There are MMDCES in the system. I instructed the Chief of staff who is the administrator of the MMDCES to extend the tenure of all MMDCES who were in my first administration. So there is no vacuum in local government in Ghana” the President said.

“If there’s a vacancy people can act in that capacity pending the substantive appointment of the office holders.260 Metropolitan and Municipal Executives are all in place “ the President added. 

“What can’t they do in the acting capacity?” President Akufo-Addo quizzed the Presenter when he mentioned that those acting in the MMDCEs have limit to what they can do.  

The President further added that he had always wanted the MMDCES to be voted for but those at the other end of the political divide did not support it even though he took steps in actualizing it.

“We need broad consensus to make this happen. When there comes a time where we all agree that it is the way to go, that will be a proper thing to do but we still resort to the old system” President Akufo-Addo added.

“I’ve set up committees at the regional and national levels for recommendations of MMDCES. I have to make sure the recommendations will suit the political purposes of the government  and respond to issues of competence, political suitability and all of these things.”

In an assurance even to Ghanaians, the President emphatically stated that this month of September, all these matters will be put to rest. “In the course of this month, by the end of this month it’ll be done” President mentioned.

BACKGROUND

The President is yet to announce names of substantive MMDCES almost nine months into his second term. This has raised a lot of questions in the media and amongst civil society groups who are positing that the vacuum is hampering development in the various municipalities and metropolis.

In a communiqué signed by Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Opare in January, the MMDCEs in the first administration of President Akufo-Addo were directed to be at post until new ones are appointed. Part of the communiqué directed, “you (MMDCEs) are to take note of the provision of section 14 (5) of the Presidential (Transition) Act (2012) which states that you shall not take a decision involving a policy issue”

www.233times.net checks reveal that over 1,000 persons applied for the MMDCE position and have already been vetted.

Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson (www.233times.net) @nkcoomson on Twitter/Instagram