KEY POINTS
President Mahama has nominated 33 individuals for MMDCE positions in the Eastern Region, pending district assembly approvals.
Civil society organizations urge the government to ensure at least 30% women’s representation in these appointments to promote gender equality.
Minister Ahmed Ibrahim emphasizes the need for respectful collaboration between MMDCEs and MPs, a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, and supports non-partisan elections for MMDCEs to enhance local governance.
President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled a list of 33 nominees for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) positions in Ghana’s Eastern Region, marking a significant step in his administration’s push to strengthen local governance.
The nominations, announced on Wednesday by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, await confirmation by respective district assemblies under Article 243(1) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Key nominees include Kate Mawusi Babanawo for Kwahu Afram Plains North, Moses Tangmee for Kwahu Afram Plains South, and Samuel Asamoah for Kwahu East. The list also features Eric William Ayettey (Okere), Linda Ahenkora (Denkyembour), and Mercy Korang (Fanteakwa South), reflecting a mix of seasoned administrators and fresh faces. “These leaders were chosen for their proven track records in community service and development,” said Local Government Minister Ahmed Ibrahim in a press statement.
Nominations stir mixed reactions
Ghana Business News reports that while the government frames the appointments as a bid to accelerate grassroots development, critics question the equity of the selections. Political analyst Dr. Nana Ama Boateng noted, “The Eastern Region has historically faced disparities in resource allocation. The absence of youth nominees under 35 raises concerns about inclusivity.” Opposition leaders, meanwhile, allege the list favors ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) loyalists, citing nominees like Paul Osae Offei (Abuakwa South), who previously served as a party coordinator.
MMDCEs play a pivotal role in Ghana’s decentralized governance system, overseeing local infrastructure, education, and healthcare projects. However, delays in confirming nominees have previously stalled development—a challenge Mahama’s administration aims to avoid. In 2024, six MMDCE nominees in the Volta Region were rejected by assemblies over competency concerns, underscoring the hurdles ahead.
The Eastern Region, a hub for cocoa and tourism, faces pressing issues like road connectivity and illegal mining. Nominee Ernest Owusu Ntim (Atiwa East), an environmental engineer, is expected to prioritize reclamation projects in areas devastated by galamsey (illegal mining). “Our focus is sustainable development that balances economic growth and ecological preservation,” Ntim remarked during a community forum.
Assembly confirmations, requiring two-thirds majority votes, are slated to begin next week. Civil society groups urge transparency, recalling 2023 protests in Ashanti Region where residents demanded public vetting of MMDCE candidates.
