Kadjebi: Some Assembly members in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region have expressed divergent views on the proposed election, qualifications, and term limits of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). This follows recommendations by the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) to President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Ghana News Agency, the CRC has proposed amendments to Article 246 (b) of the 1992 Constitution to allow for the election of MMDCEs instead of the current system where they are appointed by the President. Mr. Phillip Obornie, the Assemblyman for the Dodo-Amanfrom North Electoral Area, welcomed the recommendation, saying the election of MMDCEs would enhance accountability and deepen grassroots democracy. He stated that elected MMDCEs would be more responsible to the electorate rather than relying on presidential appointment.
Mr. Obornie emphasized that the election of MMDCEs will make them accountable to the people they serve and not just the appointing authority. On the matter of qualifications, he proposed that a first degree should be considered sufficient for the position, adding that additional experience should not be made mandatory. He argued that a first-degree holder is academically and mentally mature enough to handle the responsibilities of the office. However, he disagreed with the proposal to extend the term of office of MMDCEs to five years, arguing that the current four-year term was adequate for performance assessment and delivery.
Conversely, Mr. Noah Kwame Wadja, a former Presiding Member of the Kadjebi District Assembly, expressed concerns, particularly on the election of MMDCEs. He cautioned that elections could favor wealthy individuals who might influence voters with money, rather than competent candidates with the requisite managerial and administrative capacity. Mr. Wadja advocated for the retention of the appointment system, describing it as more suitable for ensuring qualified leadership at the local level.
On qualifications, Mr. Wadja insisted that a first-degree certificate should be the minimum requirement for aspiring MMDCEs, stressing that a senior high school certificate should not be accepted. Regarding tenure, he suggested that the extension of MMDCEs' term of office to five years should only be considered if the President's tenure was similarly extended. He noted that if the President's term is extended to five years, then it will be fair to extend that of the MMDCEs as well.
The differing opinions reflect the broader national debate on local governance reforms aimed at strengthening decentralization and improving service delivery at the district level.