A Political Scientist and Director of Centre for European Studies, University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo has described the plan of electing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, MMDCEs, as a sure way of ensuring financial freedom and uninterrupted development at the district level.
He said for far too long, the central government has monopolised “”especially the disbursement of the district assemblies common fund and this has stalled many developmental projects at that level”.
The current system also does not allow the DCEs’ who are actually appointed by the party in power, to have the free hand in making independent decisions on the core developmental needs of the local people.
Prof. Gyampo was speaking as a panelist on a Television forum on GTV dubbed “We The People”. It is a GJA and a STAR Ghana and GJA forum telecast once a month on GTV to mobilise consensus on the intended idea of electing MMDCEs among other local governance issues.
“With this kind of system, it is possible for an independent candidate to win the district assembly elections and become autonomous. That way, he or she can take the government to court if he or she feels the District Assemblies Common Fund is delaying unduly.”
The new system, according to Professor Gyampo will also empower people in a district to have direct access to hold the Assembly Executives accountable in ever area of the economy.
”The election of MMDCEs has been and is still being practised in some advanced countries in Europe and even in Africa and it has been proven to work successfully. There are documented proofs to this fact.” He stated.
Professor Gyampo also reiterated the fact that the election of MMDCEs will clearly spell out the role of an MP in the developmental process of any district.
He said often times, there are interruptions from the MP in deciding on development projects to the detriment of the DCE who was appointed by the government and has no choice but to do the government’s bidding even if it goes against his right judgements.
Story by Jonathan Thompson.
