President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCES) who were at post immediately before the presidential inauguration ceremony on January 7, 2021 to remain at post until further notice.
The directive is in accordance with Article 243 (3) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
A statement from the Presidency and signed by the Chief of Staff, Mrs Akosua Frema Opare Osei, mentioned section 14 (5) of the Presidential (Transition) Act (2012), which states, “You shall not take a decision involving a policy issue,” and urged the MMDCEs to take note.
The MMDCEs, she said, are also to act in accordance with letter No. SCR/DA555/555/01 dated 21st December, 2020, which gives directives on financial commitments, recruitments among others.
No new contracts
In a related development, the Chief of Staff has also announced an embargo on new contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and new appointments during the transition period.
She pointed to a government decision to all state institutions against entering into new contractual obligations of financial nature with immediate effect during the transition period.
These include signing of contracts for goods and services exceeding GH¢2,000,000.00); Signing of contracts for works exceeding GH¢5,000,000; Memoranda of Understanding; and appointment of new management personnel.
Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Executive Officers of State-Owned Enterprises, Boards and Councils of Public Agencies, and Chief Executive Officers of MMDCEs are therefore to refrain from entering into any of the above stated contractual obligations.
“Should a critical need to do otherwise arise, the express approval of this Office must be sought and obtained in writing before the process is executed.
“In any situation where a contract is signed, it should be fully funded by an existing Budget/Appropriation,” she stated
Reconstitution of Boards & Corporations
The Chief of Staff has stated that pursuant to Section (1) of the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845), all persons appointed by the President or a Minister of State as members of statutory boards and corporations seized to hold that office on 7th January, 2021.
A statement issued by Mrs Frema Osei-Opare yesterday said for the avoidance of doubt, representatives of constituent bodies on the statutory boars and corporations are not affected by this directive.
It said the statutory boars and corporations shall be reconstituted by the President or the relevant appointing authority in due course.
The President, according to the statement, “thanks all persons who served as members of statutory boards and corporations and wishes them the best in their future endeavours”.
