President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says his government’s commitment to take away part of the appointing powers of the President, and give same to the people through the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, (MMDCEs’), is for very good reasons including, giving back power to the people at the local level.
It is also to promote accountability, transparency and grassroot participation in local governance.
President Akufo-Addo, said apart from the amendment of portions of the Constitutional provisions relating to District Level Elections by Parliament and through a referendum, all other processes have been completed, to elect the next batch of MMDCEs beginning 2021.
President Akufo-Addo gave the assurance in Kumasi.
President Akufo-Addo is in the Ashanti region on a three-day working tour.
On day one of the tour, he inspected works on the construction of a storm drain on the Susa River spanning Ahinsan to Atonsu as part of the AfD’s funded Ahinsan-Dompoase Junction dual carriage to complete the Asokwa interchange.
President Akufo-Addo inspected also the state of work on the Kyirapatre-Jachie dualization of the Lake Bosomtwe road which the contractor, Kofi Job company limited recently returned to site after demobilizing some weeks ago.
He inspected again works on modification on the four roaundabouts at the KNUST, Boadi, Oduom and Ejisu intersections on the Kumasi-Konongo highway.
The president made a whistle stop at Aboabo in the Asokore Mampong municipality where he addressed the people before proceeding to the Manhyia Palace to pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu.
Addressing participants at a three-day training program for Regional Ministers, MMDCEs’, key staff of the Assemblies, former Assembly Members from all the 16 regions, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, emphasized that all the MMDAs’, apart from the Nkoranza South and Lower Manya Krobo, stand disolved upon the expiration of their tenure on October 7, 2019.
She explained that per constitutional arrangement, the MMDCEs are mandated to take up the functions of the local Assemblies as well as the Unit Committees.
Hajia Alima Mahama said the allocation of funds to the MMDAs and Persons living with Disabilities has increased since 2017 compared with the disbursement in 2016.
President Akufo-Addo said Parliament has given assurance of prioritizing amendment of the Article to pave the way for partisan local level elections.
President Akufo-Addo continues his tour of the Ashanti Region, today.
Story filed by Nicholas Osei-Wusu
