Rural Development Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama
Rural Development Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama

Dr Eric Oduro-Osae, a local governance expert has given strong backing to the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) by the citizens to entrench democratic governance in the country.

Dr Oduro-Osae believes the election of MMDCEs has become crucial for the effective administration of local authorities.

“Allowing chief executives of local assemblies to be elected would push potential candidates to campaign on manifestos that would spell out the development projects they would implement with the government’s Common Fund,” he said on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Thursday.

Dr Oduro-Osae maintained that the ability of the citizens to elect their own leaders would deepen accountability of chief executives of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), ensure inclusive development, minimise corruption and improve public services at the local assemblies.

He, therefore, was optimistic that allowing citizens to elect MMDCEs on partisan basis would promote local democracy since it would afford the people the opportunity to choose their own leaders.

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Government has announced the roadmap on elections of chief executives across the various MMDAs in the country, as part of efforts aimed at deepening the democratic process of the country.

The Local Government Minister, Hajia Alima Mahama disclosed that her Ministry, as part of the process, has conducted series of stakeholders’ sensitisation and consultations in all regions.

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According to the Minister, some of the groups met were: the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government, National Commission for Civic Education, the Electoral Commission, National House of Chiefs, Political Parties, Christian Council, Federation of Muslim Councils in Ghana and Professional and Civil Society groups.

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Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy