Report 'disrespectful' MMDCEs to me; I won’t reappoint them

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged chiefs to report Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who do not consult them before making decisions in their communities, to him so that he doesn’t reappoint them.

President Akufo-Addo made the call on Friday, April 23, 2021, when the Okyehene and the chiefs of Akyem Abuakwa called on him at the presidency.

This was after the chiefs had complained to the President about the difficulties they face in getting the MMDCEs to cooperate with them.

Dasebre Eyimadu Kantamanto, the Gyasihene and Kwamuhene of Akyem Abuakwa, who addressed the President on behalf of the chiefs, said some DCEs and MCEs do not consult the traditional leaders when they make decisions for the communities they are responsible for.

He added that some chiefs are not even informed about sod-cuttings for projects within their jurisdictions.

“Our DCEs and MCEs are not treating our chiefs well at all. When you question them on any move they are embarking on, they respond that it’s their mandate to do what they are doing. Some of them even cut sods for projects without the knowledge of the chiefs in those areas. Some of these things are not nice at all. So we plead with you to speak to them,” he said.

The president responded by saying any MMDCE who fails to acknowledge traditional leaders “doesn’t know their work.”

According to the president, good governance requires that those in leadership positions listen to the concerns of their followers and address them accordingly.

He thus charged the chiefs to report such appointees to him, so he does not reappoint them.

“We have all kinds of problems with some of my DCEs. Any DCE who doesn’t know how to get along with the chiefs for the progress of their district doesn’t know their work. But since I am coming to appoint new DCEs, if there are any [people] like that within the Okyeman enclave, do let me know, so I don’t reappoint them. Good governance means that you consult with the stakeholders and ensure that their concerns are addressed. If any DCEs and MCEs don’t do that, then they don’t understand their work well. So please let me know [of such people].”

President Akufo-Addo also charged the chiefs to always draw his attention to any wrongs committed within his administration.

This, he said, is the only way for him to successfully implement his vision for the country.

“You people [chiefs] are my hope. Not only Okyeman chiefs but all chiefs in this country. When you see that things are going wrong, draw my attention to it for it to be corrected. Nobody can stop you from doing that because if I succeed, I succeed for all of us as Ghanaians and if it goes bad, it affects all of us. So let’s work together to make my tenure a successful one.”