President Mahama Revokes Appointments of MMDCEs in Major Governance Shake-Up

In a bold and dramatic move, President John Dramani Mahama has revoked the appointments of all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) appointed by his predecessor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

The decision, effective immediately, represents a significant reshuffle in Ghana’s local governance structure. Coordinating Directors of the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) have been directed to assume acting Chief Executive roles until substantive appointments are announced.

Legal Basis for the Decision

A letter signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to the President, stated that the revocation was in line with the provisions of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended by the Local Governance (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act 940).

“This action is aimed at ensuring alignment between local governance leadership and the vision of the new administration,” the letter emphasized.

The shake-up is widely seen as a strategic move by the new administration to install officials aligned with its policy objectives and governance agenda.

Transition Arrangements

To maintain continuity, Coordinating Directors across all MMDAs will temporarily oversee the duties of MMDCEs. This interim measure seeks to minimize disruptions to local government operations while the process of appointing new Chief Executives is underway.

NDC’s Appointment Process for New MMDCEs

In a related development, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Eastern Regional Secretariat has announced a roadmap for the appointment of new MMDCEs.

• Application Period: Aspiring candidates are to submit applications to their constituency secretariats from January 9 to 15, 2025.
• Submission to Regional Secretariat: Applications will be collected by the Regional Secretariat on January 16-17, 2025.
• Vetting Process: A thorough vetting of applicants will be conducted from January 22 to 24, 2025.

The appointment process underscores the administration’s commitment to transparency and merit-based selection for local government leadership.

Implications of the Shake-Up

The revocation of MMDCE appointments signals President Mahama’s determination to align local governance with his broader vision for economic recovery, governance reform, and anti-corruption measures.

Political analysts view the decision as a strategic realignment, enabling the administration to embed its priorities and policies at all levels of government. However, the move may also prompt debates about the pace and implications of such sweeping changes early in the presidency.

As Ghana transitions into this new phase of governance, all eyes will be on the Mahama administration to deliver on its promises of revitalized leadership and efficient local governance.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com