Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama says the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on partisan basis will be a key solution to the ‘winner-takes-all’ syndrome in Ghana’s democratic environment.
To her, the MMDCE election will pave way for inclusive governance for the people at the district level and will give all political parties a level playing field to present a candidate for election on a universal adult suffrage basis.
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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, the Minister, who revealed a referendum has been slated for December 10, 2019 to endorse the MMDCE election, urged Ghanaians to fully support the policy.
“The practice where a ruling party appoints MMDCEs would end; making way for inclusive governance and I am all for it because the winner-takes-all idea will be changed at the district level.
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“It will deepen Ghana’s decentralisation process and guarantee social accountability because it will afford local people the opportunity to give meaning to popular participation in governance through the choice of their own leaders,” she said.
She added that “the election will ensure social accountability and a secured tenure of office for the people who will be elected.”
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The New Patriotic Party in its 2016 manifesto promised to oversee the direct election of MMDCEs within 24 months of election into office to coincide with the next District Assembly elections in 2019.
A roadmap was rolled out on Wednesday towards the implementation of the policy.
Source: Adomonline.com | Gertrude Otchere
