The Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), chaired by Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, made a number of key recommendations on the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) as part of its proposals to deepen decentralisation and local democracy in Ghana.
- Election of MMDCEs Instead of Presidential Appointment
o The Committee recommends amending Article 243 of the 1992 Constitution to allow MMDCEs to be elected by the people rather than appointed by the President.
o The aim is to strengthen accountability, responsiveness and grassroots democracy.
- Non-Partisan Elections
o The CRC recommends that MMDCE elections should be conducted on a non-partisan basis, similar to current District Assembly elections.
o This is intended to reduce partisan influence and encourage competent individuals to contest local leadership positions.
- Phased Implementation
o Rather than holding elections in all districts simultaneously, the Committee proposes a phased rollout.
o Districts that meet specified governance and administrative benchmarks would begin electing MMDCEs first, with others joining later.
- Creation of a Devolution Commission
o A new Independent Devolution Commission would oversee the process of decentralisation and determine the sequence and criteria for districts to elect their MMDCEs.
o The Commission would also help rationalise district boundaries and ensure local governments are viable before elections are held.
- Higher Qualifications for Candidates
o The Committee recommends that MMDCE candidates possess additional qualifications because the position is an executive management role.
o Suggested qualifications include relevant tertiary education, professional experience, leadership experience, or significant community development experience.
- Greater Local Government Autonomy
o The election of MMDCEs forms part of a broader decentralisation agenda that seeks to give local governments more fiscal and administrative autonomy.
What the Committee Said
According to the CRC report, the current system of presidential appointment should be replaced with the election of District Chief Executives to deepen local democracy and accountability. The Committee further recommends a phased approach supervised by a Devolution Commission.
Recent Position by Dr. Gameli Hoedoafia
Dr. Gameli Kewuribe Hoedoafia recently announced that the Cabinet has approved reforms that will allow MMDCEs to be elected directly by citizens on a non-partisan basis. A bill is expected to be laid before Parliament before the end of 2026 to give effect to these reforms.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the CRC recommends elected MMDCEs, non-partisan local elections, phased implementation through a Devolution Commission, stricter qualifications for candidates, and stronger decentralisation to make local governments more accountable to the people rather than the Presidency.
