President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the newly-confirmed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to transform their local economies, and preside over the creation of jobs for the Ghanaian people.
He told the MMDCEs that it continues to be a “good time to be in charge of districts, municipal and metropolitan areas”.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the local area is the target for all the programmes started by his government in 2017, which are being implemented for the growth and transformation of the Ghanaian economy.
“Planting for Food and Jobs; One Million Dollar, One Constituency; One District, One Factory; One Village, One Dam and ‘Agenda 111’ policy initiatives, like all the other innovative introductions to the economy, are all very much local initiatives… The challenge is, thus, for all areas to take advantage of these programmes to develop your localities,” he reiterated.
President Akufo-Addo gave the directive yesterday when he delivered the keynote speech at an orientation ceremony held for the new MMDCEs at the Accra International Conference Centre.
The orientation was on the theme: “Effective Leadership for Local Economic Transformation and Improved Service Delivery in Ghana: The Role of MMDCEs”.
President Akufo-Addo admonished the MMDCEs to be mindful of the fact that all Government initiatives at the local level come within their purview, whether initiated by them or not.
“The argument that you are not aware of, or are not responsible for government initiatives in your localities, will not wash with me.
“You have to familiarise yourself with everything, whether of your making or not. A Chief Executive, who is indifferent or unaware of government activities in his or her area, is not a suitable Chief Executive… Be reminded, however, that I will not hesitate to ‘disappoint’ any MMDCE who does not live up to expectations.”, President Akufo-Addo warned.
Relevant laws
The President urged the MMDCEs to acquaint themselves with all the relevant laws, and work in close collaboration with their Assemblies, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, religious leaders and other key stakeholders in their localities.
President Akufo-Addo also entreated them to ensure that the Assemblies function effectively and efficiently, especially in the sub-structures.
“Avoid getting involved in unnecessary conflicts that rather dent the image of the Assembly and, by extension, Government. Rather, work with your staff, deepen transparency, and promote popular participation and accountability at the local level. These are the hallmarks for successful leadership and the attainment of results. If you are fruitful in this, then we would be making good progress towards strengthening the structure of our governance system, and bringing democracy and progress to local government,” the President added.
Dan Botwe in charge
In reminding the MMDCEs of the chain of command, he stressed that the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Mr Dan Botwe, has oversight responsibility for decentralisation implementation and local government.
In addition, President Akufo-Addo indicated that “Regional Ministers are required to monitor and evaluate the performance of MMDCEs in their Regions, and submit periodic reports to the President about them. I, therefore, expect you to accord Regional Ministers all their due respect, as they are the President’s representatives in the Regions”.
Whilst imploring them to be careful and tactful in managing issues of intelligence and security, the President requested that all MMDCEs, in accordance with the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998, (Act 550), (Schedule 1 (V)), should, within three (3) months of assuming office, declare their assets.
This exercise, he indicated, will be monitored, especially as “it is important that the Ghanaian people understand that, for us, public service is exactly that, public service, not personal gain.”
Election of MMDCEs
On the matter of the election of MMDCEs, President Akufo-Addo noted that there is nothing to fear in the direct election of Chief Executives.
The election of the MMDCEs, he stressed, should rather lead to a deepening of democracy and better accountability.
“My Government and I will continue to work for a broad, national consensus on this issue, and should such a consensus be attained for the repeal of article 55(3) of the Constitution, and an agreement reached for political parties to participate in and sponsor candidates for election to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, at any point during my tenure of office as President of the Republic, the matter will be brought again back to the front burner of our public discourse for the necessary action,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
