IDEG backs election of MMDCEs along party lines
The Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), is of the view that allowing the election of MMDCEs along political party lines will foster development at the local government level.
Speaking on Point Blank segment of Eyewitness News, the Executive Director of IDEG, Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, said elected local government officials would feel more responsible and would keep the government on its toes in ensuring that the much-needed resources are channelled to the metropolis, municipalities and districts to boost growth and development.
“We are supposed to give them 5% of the total national revenue each year annually or up to 7.5%, but it never happens and no appointed Chief Execute has been able to challenge the President or the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, but these dynamics are going to change because parties would contest. But the President would work with them, because they also need the president to work with them,” he said.
The rank and file of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have reportedly shown their disapproval of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s pledge and commitment to elect Municipal, Metropolitan and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr John Boadu has said.
According to him, the disapproval of the election of MMDCEs by the members is because they believe the party will lose out on rewarding its hardworking members who have mobilised support for the party at the local level if those positions become elective rather than appointive.
The disapproval came up for discussion at a two-day retreat on multi-party local governance in Big Ada, organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) for a section of ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) and national executives of the ruling party on the election of MMDCEs.
But in a Senior Research Fellow of IDEG, Mr. Kwesi Jonah, has described the argument as one that is putting the party’s interest above the national interest.
Source: citinewsroom.com
