The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jaman South Municipal Mr. Andrews Bediako has expressed strong views on the appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
He argued that the current system, where the President appoints MMDCEs, makes them accountable to the President rather than the people they serve. According to him, this weakens decentralization and reduces the effectiveness of local governance.
He advocated for the election of MMDCEs as a way to enhance accountability and improve development at the grassroots level. Mr. Bediako highlighted a fundamental flaw in Ghana’s governance structure on the appointment of MMDCEs by the President. He stated;
“The MMDCEs are not accountable to the people, but rather to the President. Because the President can appoint you to prepare the law. The constitution, in Article 243, states that it is only the President who can nominate or appoint you as an MCE, but you have to go for confirmation at the district level by the honorable assembly members.”
Mr. Andrews Bediako Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jaman South Municipal
However, he noted that this arrangement makes MMDCEs vulnerable to political interference and removal at will.
“The President can put you there today and tomorrow he can remove you. So definitely, you are always accountable to the President but not the local people. But you are always with the local people. If you are being mistreated as an MCE within government circles, you cannot raise it. Party executives at the local level or the regional level can petition the President tomorrow and you are removed.”
“I am for the election of MMDCEs at the local level because when you are elected, you become accountable to the people. They are the ones who nominated or elected you, and you are always accountable to them.”
Mr. Andrews Bediako Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jaman South Municipal
While acknowledging concerns about the cost of electing MMDCEs, Mr. Bediako insisted that democracy itself is expensive and that Ghana must be willing to bear the financial burden for effective governance. He compared the situation to parliamentary by-elections, questioning;
“Why is it that when an MP dies today, tomorrow or within the next three weeks, there is a by-election to elect a representative? But if an assembly member dies or leaves the scene, that electoral area will not have a representative for years.”
Mr. Andrews Bediako Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jaman South Municipal
This disparity, he argued, undermines local governance and weakens the decentralization process.
Political Tensions and the Winner-Takes-All System
Mr. Bediako highlighted the political tensions that arise when MMDCEs are appointed rather than elected. He referenced incidents where people protest, burn tires, and cause chaos because their preferred candidates were not selected. He argued;
“People always complain about the winner-takes-all system. At the local level, the last position is given to the President to decide. Why? If we want our decentralization to be more effective, the best way to go is the election of MMDCEs.”
Mr. Andrews Bediako Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jaman South Municipal
Mr. Bediako also highlighted the structural challenges that hinder the effectiveness of MMDCEs. He noted;
“Many have argued that MMDCEs are failing to live up to expectations, but things that an MMDCE is supposed to do, a DCE is supposed to do, we are all running to the MP for the area. Why? Because of the structure that we have.”
Mr. Andrews Bediako Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jaman South Municipal
One major issue he raised is the mismanagement of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). He noted;
“Per law, the District Assemblies Common Fund is supposed to remit not less than 5% of national revenue to the assemblies. But somebody sits in Accra and decides how the common fund should be used at the local level. Is that fair?”
“Some assemblies cannot generate even 400 Ghana cedis a week. 400 Ghana cedis! How much fuel can an MCE buy to monitor projects across the district? I faced a lot of challenges. My common fund was not given to me as expected. You sit down at the assembly, and at the end of the quarter, they give you 200,000 Ghana cedis. Looking at a population of more than 150,000 people, where everybody is crying for water, schools, toilets—how do you solve these problems with that amount?”
Mr. Andrews Bediako Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jaman South Municipal
Mr. Bediako argued that the inefficiency in funding MMDCEs affects local development. He points out that many communities lack basic infrastructure, such as schools, because the required funds are not available.
He insisted that empowering local authorities through elections and proper resource allocation is the only way to improve development.
Mr. Andrews Bediako strongly advocated for the election of MMDCEs, arguing that it will enhance accountability, reduce political interference, and improve local governance. While he acknowledged the financial implications of this reform, he believes that democracy is an expensive but necessary investment.
He called on policymakers to address structural inefficiencies, particularly in the allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund, to ensure that MMDCEs have the resources needed to fulfill their mandates effectively.
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