CPR On Appointment Of Metropolitan, Municipal, And District Chief Executives

The Center for Policy Research (CPR) has observed with concern the politics of lobbying across the country as decision regarding the appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCE) by the President's approaches.

While the CPR recognizes and respects the constitutional right of the president to appoint his local representatives within the confines of the existing local government framework, the CPR also wishes to remind all Ghanaians that the full realization of the vision embedded in our decentralization project might be jeopardized if the caliber of people appointed to be the face of government at the local levels lack the necessary professional, academic, experiential and technical competence and expertise. We have been there before.

It is worth noting that the functions of an MMDCE as provided for by the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462 include (a) serving as the chief representative of the central government in the district; (b) responsibility for the day-to-day administration and exercise of executive functions of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District levels; (c) supervision of the departments within assembly, and (d) presiding over District Security Councils.

The practice of decentralization in Ghana since 1988 has shown that more functions and resources are being transferred from the centre to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) as seen in the increase in the allocation to the District Assembly Common Fund over the years from 5% to 7.5%, and the decentralization of many more departments as provided for in the National Decentralization Action Plan.

It is further anticipated that with the advent of the composite budget system, the work of the MMDAs, and in particular that of the DCE would be complex and demanding. If the plan to further decentralize departments such the Ghana Education Service, the Ghana Health Service, Fisheries Department, and many others is fully implemented, a District Director of Education, for instance, who may be a second degree holder and may have risen through the ranks through long service and a District Director of Health Services who in most cases is a medical doctor will have to report to the MMDCE.

Although the complexity of issues that go into considerations relating to executive appointments can be appreciated, CPR wishes to urge the President to go beyond party loyalty, and ensure that professional qualities, proven track record, demonstrable competence are the cardinal principles and necessary conditions that will shape his appointment of MMDCEs.

In the interest of good governance, accountability and transparency, CPR encourages the president to immediately make public, the basic criteria for decisions regarding qualification and appointment of MMDCEs.

CPR is of the view that a MMDCE who, for instance, is chosen on the basis of (i) minimum academic qualification of a good first degree in any field, (ii) minimum of 2 years working experience in the public, private or the voluntary sectors, (iii) a proven leadership and organizational skills, and a demonstrable knowledge of public procurement procedures as well as major administrative procedures relating to local governance would be more confident in his/her professional dealings with his subordinates and the technocrats, than those chosen purely based on partisan considerations. Similarly, directors of departments will also be comfortable reporting to a MMDCE generally perceived as qualified and competent.

CPR urges Ghanaians to take active interest in, and monitor the processes that result in the appointment of MMDCEs. This would ensure that such appointments reflect competence and the desires of opinion leaders and the citizenry who constitute our Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies in reality.

Signed
Gloria Edusei
Executive Director
0261413297