The Deputy General Secretary of NPP, Nana Obiri Boahen has declared that President Akuffo-Addo has not breached any law regarding the delay in his appointment of Metropolitan Municipal and District Chiefs (MMDCEs).
In his response to reports that some Members of Parliaments (MP) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have filed legal actions against the government over the delay in the appointment of MMDCEs, the Deputy General indicated that the reason why there has been a delay is because NDC opposed the President’s proposal to reform the constitution to allow the election of MMDCEs rather than appointment.
“There is no law in Ghana that says that after having been sworn into office on 7th January, the President is mandated to appoint MMDCEs/DCEs within a specific time. When some of us campaigned that they should amend the constitution to ensure that we can vote for and nominate our own DCEs our brothers from NDC campaigned against it so I am not bothered at all.”
Nana Obiri Boahen
Nana Obiri Boahen remarks come in the wake of rising concerns about how the delay in appointment of MMDCEs is going to retard development at the local levels.
In the month of August, the Executive Director of Community Development Alliance (CDA), Mr. Salifu Kanton, shared his sentiment on the adverse impact the delay in appointment of MMDCEs has on the development progress at the local levels.
He indicated that the local governance system in Ghana is designed in a way that places MMDCEs at the core of the growth in all assemblies.
According to Mr. Kanton, a delay in the selection of MMDCEs would mean a halt in all developments at the grassroot.
However, NPP’s Deputy General Secretary disputed claims that the delay is affecting governance at the local level.
Besides, the Executive Director of CDA stated that “it is a bit sad that it is taking a rather long time for the local government structures to be properly constituted.”
Meanwhile, approaching his 8th month into his Presidency, President Nana Akuffo-Addo is yet to appoint Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCE) unlike his first term.
According President Akuffo-Addo, the delay is as result of due diligence being adopted throughout the appointment process.
MMDCEs appointment list will be out soon
President Akuffo-Addo further described the processes involved as uneasy saying: “It’s been quite an exhaustive process and we are trying, as much as possible, to arrive at some consensus about them”.
Moreover, he noted that the reports from the committees set up for the selection process are subject to scrutiny. Upon completion, the list of the appointees will be released as soon as possible
Also, at a press briefing held at the Jubilee House, the Director of Communications at the Office of the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, stated that the President is still studying the report presented to him by the committee adding that the appointment of MMDCEs is not a simple matter.
According to him, “all I can say is that soon the list will come out. I am not in the position to give timelines”.
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