The local government system needs reform - IDEG

Ho, Sept. 25, GNA - Dr Kwesi Jonah, a Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), has iterated the call for replacement of the 'simple majority local government system' with a 'proportional representation system.'

He said the call for the change had become necessary to allow for a more effective local governance system with fair representation of women and other vulnerable persons in the decision making process.

Dr Jonah made the call in Ho at a regional dialogues series on Democratic Devolution by IDEG and Civic Forum Initiative on the theme, 'Strengthening Democratic Development through multi-party based local government.'

He called for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) directly by the people on tickets of political parties to make them accountable to the locals.

Dr Jonah said the current system of appointing MMDCEs and 30 per cent of assembly members by the President had weakened the current local government system and prayed that changes were done before the next local government elections.

Professor Kofi Quashigah, Dean, School of Law, University of Ghana, said a change of the system would make democracy and decentralization a reality in Ghana with better participation and accountability assured.

The regional dialogues series, already held in the Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Central regions is to sensitize the citizenry on the proposed changes and pave way for a possible amendment of the constitution ahead of the next local government elections.

GNA