[ 2021-02-10 ]

Dr Nana Ato Arthur

I support election of MMDCEs — Dr Ato Arthur
The Head of the Local Government Services, Dr Nana
Ato Arthur, has stated that he supports the
election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District
Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

He noted that being appointed chief executive came
with no security of tenure for which reason he
supported the election of MMDCEs.

According to him, most MMDCEs were always
struggling to become Members of Parliament (MPs)
and found means to sabotage their MPs because of
their job insecurity.

"Why is it that MMDCEs control more resources than
MPs and yet they want to go to Parliament. It is
because they are sure of their job security at the
Legislature for four years".

Decentralisation

Dr Ato Arthur told the Daily Graphic that the
election of MMDCEs would deepen Ghana's
decentralisation process.

He explained that local level elections had become
highly political,indicating that during district
level elections, posters of assembly members were
cleverly designed with political colours sponsored
by political parties.

"So we must stop playing the ostrich and hold the
bull by the horn," he stated.

Accountability
Dr Arthur noted that the election of MMDCEs would
also promote accountability at the local people as
the elected chief executive would be accountable
to the electorate.

He expressed his joy at President Nana Addo Dankwa
Akufo-Addo for adding decentralisation to the then
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
to strengthen the existing structures of
decentralisation.

MMDCEs

Dr Arthur encouraged MMDCEs to work with local
communities and engage more with the chiefs and
people, involve them in the implementation of
assembly programmes and reduce the usual evasion
of taxes and levies.

He said the government had introduced the
Electronic Biometric Logging System in all
assemblies to check the attendance of staff.

"In addition, all MMDCEs are also made to sign
performance contracts to ensure effective
leadership and accelerated development at the
local level.

Source - Graphic Online

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