According to her, MMDCEs are ambassadors of the President’s programmes and policies at the local level, and their performance—whether successful or flawed—impacts both the government and the political party.

Speaking at a ceremony to swear in confirmed MMDCEs on Thursday in Goaso, Charity Ghardinar urged the appointees to align themselves with the development agenda of President John Mahama to improve the living conditions of residents.

All six (6) presidential nominees were sworn in as Municipal and District Chief Executives after receiving overwhelming endorsement from their respective local assemblies.

The appointees are:

• Dauda Hafiz Dabell, District Chief Executive for Asutifi North

• Benjamin Donkor Assabil, District Chief Executive for Asutifi South

• Sampson Pius Opoku, Municipal Chief Executive for Tano North

• Emmanuel Kwame Frimpong, Municipal Chief Executive for Tano South

• Joseph Yinka, District Chief Executive for Asunafo South

• Benjamin Akparibo, Municipal Chief Executive for Asunafo North

President John Mahama, in accordance with Article 243 of the 1992 Constitution and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) as amended by the Local Governance Act, 2017, nominated them to serve as MMDCEs.

In a letter dated March 23, 2025, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Armed Ibrahim, on behalf of the President, urged all MMDCE nominees to execute their mandates with humility, respect, and commitment.

The Regional Minister also expressed gratitude to traditional authorities in the Ahafo region for their continued support and called for their guidance. “I and my six gallant men are available for engagement and collaboration,” she stated.

Dauda Hafiz Dabell, the DCE for Asutifi North, reaffirmed his commitment to improving key sectors in his district, including economic empowerment, community road infrastructure, health, water and sanitation, and rural development.

Benjamin Donkor Assabil, the DCE for Asutifi South, also encouraged his fellow appointees to prioritise the well-being of grassroots members of the NDC to ensure harmony within the party.

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Speaking during a visit to the Muslim community at Kenyasi No.1, where she donated mats, buta, soft drinks, water, and an undisclosed sum of money, the minister noted that substances like tramadol and marijuana were being abused at an alarming rate, posing serious health and security risks.

She emphasized that if urgent measures were not taken, the region’s reputation could be severely affected.

Charity Gardiner urged religious leaders, traditional authorities, parents, and law enforcement agencies to join forces in fighting drug abuse among the youth.

She stressed that it was time for a collective approach to protect the future of the younger generation.

The Imam of Kenyasi No.1, Bawa Abubakari, also shared his concerns, expressing shock at the extent of drug abuse in the community.

He urged young people to stay away from drugs, warning that it could lead to serious health complications and even premature death.

The minister’s call has sparked discussions on the need for increased awareness and rehabilitation programs to help curb the rising trend of drug abuse in the Ahafo Region.

She made this call during her first meeting with departmental heads and the entire staff on Wednesday.

According to her, lateness without any tangible reason will no longer be tolerated, stressing that it will become a thing of the past.

“When you are given a job in the public sector, you have to do it well. So I will appeal to them to work hard and change certain attitudes for us to progress,” she said.

Mrs. Gardiner also emphasized that transparency and diligence must be the hallmark of the staff to ensure effective service delivery.

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His comments comes at the back of series of protests that have rocked the region. The youth in the area mostly accuse mining companies of shortchanging them.

But addressing chiefs, MMDCEs, youth leaders and other stakeholders at a Newmont event at Ahafo Terchire, the Minister said these protests are having negative impact on the development of Ahafo region.

The Minister revealed that, all efforts to solicit funds from foreign investors to help tackle youth unemployment have failed because there is no peace in the area.

According to him, some investors fear to even visit the region due to records of series of protests by the youth against some existing factory owners in the region.

He begged his constituents to have the development of the region at heart and stop the attacks and protests.

Mr. Boakye also appealed to youth to use dialogue to express their grievances rather than resorting to violence.