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Local Government and Rural Development Minister-designate Hajia Alima Mahama, said the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is committed to the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in 2018.
According to her, "The Constitutional Review Commission was not entirely against this process; it provided that there should be direct election for the metropolitan assemblies and a different kind for municipal, whereas for the district assembly the status should remain. That was the recommendation, so it is not entirely against it. So we’re proposing that we should elect district chief executives – I believe that it is in tune with the constitutional provision."
Read more: MMDCEs will be elected in my Government – Nana Addo
She made this known to the vetting committee to back President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's point who promised that chief executives would be elected under an NPP government to bring accountability to local government.
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MMDCEs across the country are appointed by the president subject to approval by the assemblies.
Critics have dismissed the idea of electing DCEs.
The idea of electing DCEs has become a thorny issue. Both the NDC and NPP have in the past promised to make the position electable but failed to implement it when they came into power.
Read also: Former local government minister warns against electing MMDCEs
Hajia Alima Mahama speaking to the appointment committe said, "If you look at the directive principle of state policy, Article 35, it says that we should ensure that democracy becomes a reality by decentralising political administration and financial resources and ensuring that every citizen feels part of the decision making in every aspect of national life and I believe that if we elect district assemblies it’s one way of accountability. We will get them to be accountable to the citizens.
Read also: Amend Constitution to spread leadership powers - Nduom tells Nana Addo
"For instance, parliament’s role is actually legislation but we all want to do development programmes in our constituencies because at the constituency level, people are looking for development. Therefore, if we have a DCE who is supporting development in the constituency and accountable to the people, I think that is the best way to go for it," she added.