Re-nomination of DCES was constitutional - Bintim

Saltpond (C/R), June 1, GNA - Mr Charles Bintim, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development said on Tuesday that the President had not violated the 1992 Constitution by re-nominating district chief executives (DCES) who have not ended their four-year term.

He explained that although the constitution said a term of a DCE should be four years unless the appointment was revoked, the President has the prerogative of appointing and terminating appointments. Mr Bintim who was addressing the Mfantseman District Assembly, as part of his official tour of the Central Region, observed that the Head of State decided to end his first term of office with the termination of the appointments of members of the Executive.

He said consequently letters of termination of appointment were served on all appointees, ending their term of office on January 7. However they were recalled to serve in acting capacities.

The Minister explained that the absence of substantive DCES, affected the release of the District Assemblies' Common Fund (DACF). Mr Bintim said the Administrator of the Fund should know how much would be released by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to the DACF, to enable him to prepare the formula of disbursement for approval by Parliament.

He advised the district assemblies to submit their supplementary vouchers to their respective Regional Coordinating Councils, for the fund to be released as soon as the nominated DCES are confirmed. Mr Agyei Kusi, Presiding Member of the Assembly, appealed to the Government to pay the salary arrears of government officials, whose appointments were terminated, but were recalled to act.

He said this would facilitate the anti-corruption drive of the Government. GNA