Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Shani Alhassan Shaibu to chair the vetting committee

Prospective Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who have applied to serve in the second term of President Nana Akufo-Addo in the northern region will be appearing before a regional vetting committee from today.

The five-member committee chaired by the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Shani Alhassan Shaibu, is expected to subject the applicants to diligent scrutiny.

THE CUSTODIAN has gathered that over 100 individuals have successfully submitted their curriculum vitae (CVs) by the close of day yesterday from the 15 districts in the region ahead of the vetting in Tamale.

A statement issued the Northern Regional Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Sibdow Alhassan Yakubu, applicants from the Tamale Metro, Kumbungu and Kpandai will appear on day one, followed by Savelugu, Nanton, Gushegu and Saboba on day two.

Sagnarigu, Mion, and Nanumba North as well as Wulensi, Yendi and Tolon will be vetted on day three and four respectively.

Candidates from Karaga, Zabzugu and Tatale will be the last to appear before the committee on the final day of vetting.

NPP’s Northern Regional Secretary, Alhaji Sibdow Alhassan Yakubu in the statement confirmed the five-member committee to THE CUSTODIAN.

According to him, the committee is chaired by the Regional Minister with other members including NPP Regional Chairman, a National Representative, Constituency Representative and a government representative.

He said the committee as part of its work will dissect the qualification, experience and contribution of the applicants to the areas they intend lead.

Mr Sibdow indicated that beyond the regional vetting committee, a short list of the applicants will be submitted to a national vetting committee for further interviews and subsequent recommendations to the president for his consideration.

Meanwhile, THE CUSTODIAN has learnt that the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tamale, Musah Iddrisu Superior; Sagnarigu Municipal Chief Executive, Hajia Mariam Iddrisu and the DCE for Mion, Mohammed Hashmin Abdallah as at press time, had not submitted any application to renew their mandate.

Again, Tatale has also become vacant following the election of the District Chief Executive, Thomas Mbomba as Member of Parliament for the area.

Alhaji Sibdow said the party in the northern region was impressed with the execution of government business spearheaded by the MMDCEs in the region.

He added that it is the personal decision of individuals to demonstrate their interest to continue to work for the country.

“All the DCEs performed creditably well in the last four years and there is no district in the region that you will not see evidence of them championing the programmes and policies of the government. Perhaps, those who haven’t applied have interest in other job opportunities in the government.

“But we will demand an account of their stewardship to the party and reasons why they think they should be maintained as DCEs for their respective areas. Even those who haven’t been DCEs yet, especially the party executives vying to be given the opportunity will be scrutinised on the impact they can make when appointed”, he added.