While civil society organizations are intensifying their campaign for the election of Metropolitan and encouraging citizens, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), some MMDCEs have started shivering for fear of losing their positions.
The fears started on 7th January this year when the President, Nana Akufo-Addo in his inaugural speech reaffirmed his commitment to the MMDCEs’ election. The president flanked by the local government minister, Hajia Alima Mahama repeated his resolve on 5th July 2017 at the orientation of MMDCEs at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Accra.
Immediately after the president’s speech, some DCEs were reported to have said that, they have to start lacing their boots to compete in a position that used to be filled by nomination and confirmation.
When the issue of electing MMDCEs cropped up, some members of the governing NPP kicked against it because they felt it will frustrate government’s agenda as against the agenda of an opposition party’s DCE.
“Whoever advised the president on this issue advised him wrongly; how can a DCE, who controls resources in the district with a different political ideology, listen to the president,” an activist of the NPP quizzed.
The Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), a think-tank championing the election of MMDCEs, believes it will enhance the local governance system in the country.
At a trainees’ workshop in Tamale, participants said the election of MMDCEs will bring to an end, attacks and locking up of DCEs’ offices.
They were also of the view that, some MMDCEs have knowledge of the position they are occupying but are being controlled by some selfish party bigwigs.
The Director of Operations at IDEG, Mr. Kofi Awitey told participants that, IDEG is also advocating that the Electoral Commission conducts all elections, from presidential, parliamentary and district assembly’ elections, at the same time to avoid what IDEG called, election overload.
The EC, Mr Awitey said, welcomes their suggestions because it will help reduce pressure on the election management body. The Northern Regional Coordinator of IDEG, Chief Kasei urged citizens to accept the IDEG’s proposal and elect the MMDCEs.
The election of MMDCEs is very important looking at the current happenings at the various assemblies, where DCEs offices are being locked up, Chief Kasei noted.
He emphasized that, until the DCEs are elected, their offices will continue to be locked up by aggrieved youth of the governing party.
