The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Weija-Gbawe, Patrick Kumor, says the delay in the appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) by the President, is not impacting negatively on development in his jurisdiction.
Some stakeholders have expressed worry about the President’s delay in appointing MMDCEs over fears of possible a halt in developmental projects in various localities.
For instance, the Ranking Member of the Local Government Committee of Parliament, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, wants President Akufo-Addo to as a matter of urgency publish the list of the appointed MMDCEs saying his committee will be forced to summon the Local Government Minister, before Parliament if the list is not published by the time the house resumes sittings.
But in an interview with Citi News, the Weija-Gbawe MCE said there are other alternative sources of funding that could be used for developmental projects in various municipalities.
“The President has the power and authority to appoint, and there is no time frame for him to do such things. So, if someone is saying that because of this development in the Assemblies is being halted, I will say no because we are still working. If you come to our Municipality, we are still working because we don’t solely rely on District Assembly Common Fund to operate, so we are still at post and still working.”
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has dragged the government to court over the continuous stay of MMDCEs in office eight months after a new administration came into office.
According to him, President Akufo-Addo has no constitutional mandate to direct MMDCEs to remain in office in an acting capacity.
The President, in January 2021 after he was sworn in to serve a second presidential term, directed all MMDCEs to remain at post until new ones are appointed.
According to the communiqué signed by the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Opare, announcing the directive, the MMDCEs were against taking any policy-related decisions.
Delay in appointing MMDCEs hasn’t affected development at the local level – Presidency
The Presidency has rejected claims that the delay in appointing MMDCEs is hampering development at the local government level.
Speaking to the press at the Jubilee House, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, said: “I don’t think there should be any cause for concern because work is still ongoing at the various MMDA levels”.
“Currently, there is no vacuum at the various districts, metropolitan areas and municipalities because the old MMDCEs are still in office on a day-to-day basis going about their respective duties.”
The government has been criticised for the lack of progress in appointing new MMDCEs eight months into a new administration.
These appointments are the sole preserve of the President, per Article 243 (1) of the 1992 Constitution.