The Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano North, Eric Nana Agyemang Prempeh, has issued a passionate call for a more democratic and participatory approach to local governance by electing Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) through a non-partisan electoral process.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Hon. Prempeh described the current system—mandated by Article 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which allows the President to appoint MMDCEs with the approval of the district assembly—as outdated and counterproductive.
This, he said, often leads to friction between MMDCEs and Members of Parliament, undermines accountability, and deepens the ‘winner-takes-all’ culture that hampers national cohesion.
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“The present arrangement has become a bottleneck in our quest to strengthen decentralization and deepen democratic governance,” he said, adding that elected MMDCEs would ensure greater transparency and responsiveness to local needs.
The MP recounted past commitments from both major political parties—the NDC and the NPP—acknowledging their pledges to introduce MMDCE elections but lamenting the lack of follow-through. He cited President John Mahama’s 2012 campaign promise to initiate the election of DCEs and expressed disappointment over the lack of progress during his tenure.
He also referred to the NPP government’s attempt to have MMDCEs elected with the 2019 district-level elections—a move that ultimately stalled due to political disagreements, despite significant financial investment.
Hon. Prempeh stressed that while there is general agreement on the need for change, disagreements persist over whether political parties should be formally involved in the process. He noted the irony of opposing partisan participation in MMDCE elections while political influence continues to shape existing local-level contests.
“What we must confront head-on is the need to institutionalize the people’s voice in choosing their local leaders. The time for rhetoric is over. It’s time to act,” he declared.
The MP welcomed the establishment of the Constitution Review Committee, led by Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, applauding its focus on key governance reforms. He assured that the Minority Caucus stands ready to support the necessary constitutional amendments—particularly to Articles 243 and 246(b)—to pave the way for non-partisan MMDCE elections.
Hon. Agyemang Prempeh reminded former President Mahama of the NDC’s renewed 2024 manifesto pledge to empower local governance through democratic reforms, urging all stakeholders to work together to deliver this long-overdue transformation.
He cautioned that this issue cannot only be revisited every four years hence the need to move decisively towards a more inclusive and accountable local government system.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com