The President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged all 261 metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) to ensure that they give equal attention to all government projects in their locality, irrespective of which government initiated them.
Speaking at an orientation programme for 250 out of the 261 MMDCEs in Accra on Tuesday (26 October), President Akufo-Addo said the failure of some MMDCEs in the past, to give attention to projects initiated by others will not be countenanced.
“The local area is the target for all the programmes set forth since 2017 which is being implemented for the growth and transformation of the local economy. I will sound a note of caution here, all government initiatives at the local level come within your purview whether you initiated them or not” Akufo-Addo said.
“The argument that you are not aware of or are not responsible for government initiatives in your localities will not wash with me. You are to familiarise yourself with everything, whether of your making or not. The chief executive, who’s indifferent or unaware of government activities has in his or her area is not a suitable chief executive,” Akufo-Addo warned.
To this end, the President admonished all MMDCEs to ensure that they take stock of all projects, policies and programmes in their jurisdictions and to ensure that they are completed and or implemented.
Avoid conflicts
He equally had cause to warn them against getting involved in what he described as ‘unnecessary conflicts’ that would dent the image of the Assembly and by extension government. Rather, he charged “work with your staff, deepen transparency and promote popular participation and accountability at the local level.”
“If you are fruitful in this, then we will be making good progress towards strengthening the structure of our governance system and bringing democracy and progress to local government,” he emphasised.
Cooperation with ministers
Whilst he admitted that the Minister for Local Government, Decentralization Rural Development has oversight responsibility for decentralisation, implementation and local government, he charged regional ministers to monitor and evaluate the performance of MMDCEs in their regions and submit periodic reports to him.
“I therefore expect you to accord the regional ministers the due respect as they are the President’s representatives in the region,” Akufo-Addo advised.
Nana Otuo Siriboe II
Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, in his remarks as chairperson for the opening ceremony, urges the MMDCEs to avoid all forms of confrontations with their stakeholders such as MPs, traditional rulers, among others, as they go about their duties.
“My advice to you as you begin this new journey or go through a second time would be first and foremost, to avoid needless confrontations with traditional authorities, MPs, opinion leaders and your assembly members” Nana Otuo Siriboe II said.
“As you represent the President in your various municipal, district or areas, you must emulate his example. Every year, the President goes round the country at least ones”.
“So do I expect you to move out of your comfort zones, go to the villages, go and enjoy the same drinking water with them, go and use the same toilet facilities with them so you will better appreciate their needs when they come to you,” the chairman of the Council of State added.
MMDCEs Leadership Role
In their leadership roles, MMDECs represent the Central Government at the local level and are required to implement national and local policies.
They are obliged to preside at meetings of the Executive Committee, be responsible for the day-to-day performance of the executive and administrative functions of the District Assembly, and be responsible for the supervision of the departments of the District Assembly.
These responsibilities require some specific competencies including leadership and managerial skills.
MMDCEs are also required to deliver the sessional address to the District Assemblies on policy matters determined by the President; present periodic reports on the performance of the Executive
Committees as well as the state of the districts, and submit recommendations of the District Assemblies through the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), to the Minister responsible for Local Government on matters of national concern, at the end of each session.
The MMDCES serve as chairpersons of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Security Committees and also represents the Districts on the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs).
Orientation programme
The orientation and training programme has been designed to be implemented in three phases. First is a general orientation for all appointed MMDCEs on 26 and 27 October, 2021 at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).
Second, an Orientation for only first-time appointed MMDCEs on 28 and 29 October, 2021 at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS), Ogbojo.
Lastly, a nationwide zonal refresher course for all MMDCEs at designated training centres across the country shortly following the completion of the orientation.
Wilberforce Asare
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