Accra: Mr Reindolph Afrifa-Oware, a housing advocate and public policy commentator, stated that the recurring flooding in Accra and parts of Ghana reveals significant weaknesses in the country's local government system. According to Ghana News Agency, Afrifa-Oware elaborated on these deficiencies, pointing out the inability of some Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to effectively respond to community needs.
Afrifa-Oware emphasized that the current system, where MMDCEs are appointed rather than elected, undermines local governance, reduces accountability, and hinders grassroots development. He argued that citizens deserve leaders who are directly accountable to them and whose tenure is contingent upon their performance.
He urged for a reconsideration of the proposed election of MMDCEs, noting that such a move would force these officials to focus on local development, tackle pressing community issues, and deliver tangible results or face electoral consequences. Afrifa-Oware highlighted that the current governance structure discourages capable and independent-minded citizens from participating in local governance.
He asserted that electing MMDCEs would enhance democratic accountability, bolster citizen participation, improve service delivery, and promote responsive governance at the district level. Afrifa-Oware called on the Government, Parliament, political parties, and civil society organizations to reignite the national conversation on electing MMDCEs as part of Ghana's decentralization reforms.
Afrifa-Oware concluded by stressing the urgency of this democratic reform, advocating for a system that empowers communities and allows competent Ghanaians to serve based on merit and public confidence rather than political allegiance.