Should MMDCEs be elected on partisan or non-partisan basis? (part 2)

Multi-party democracy in Ghana has been divisive and partisan in nature over the past 32 years. 

Since 1993, we have been electing our presidents and parliamentarians on a partisan basis.

The governance of this country has been alternating between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP). 

We cannot deny the fact that governance at the national level in the past 32 years of multi-party democracy in Ghana was characterised by extreme partisanship and divisiveness.

Since 1993, Ghana’s Parliament has been dominated by members of the two leading political parties: the NDC and the NPP. Unfortunately, over the years, our parliamentarians have failed to work together to effectively hold the various executives in check to promote good governance.

They had also failed to build consensus on some important matters of national interest due to extreme partisanship, to the disadvantage of Ghanaians.

It is also worth noting that over the years, some members of parliament (MPs) and MMDCEs could not work together in the interest of the electorate, just because they belonged to different political parties.

As a result of extreme partisanship, some Members of Parliament (MPs) whose parties were not in government, were frustrated by the MMDCEs of their MMDAs in the discharge of their duties in their constituencies.

Considering the extreme partisanship and divisiveness witnessed in national elections under the fourth republic, should the election of MMDCEs on a partisan basis be encouraged?

What is the motivation?

The violence, hostilities and acrimony associated with elections on a partisan basis at the national level.

Virtually all our national-level elections held on a partisan basis from 1992 to 2024 were characterised by violence, hostilities and acrimony, mainly as a result of disagreements between the supporters of the NPP and NDC.

Various atrocities, including the killing of innocent people and the destruction of property, among others were committed during and after elections.

Pre-election periods were full of tension, anxiety, insults, hate speeches and conflict, among others.  

Should we subject our local people to the unpleasant experiences that characterised national elections in Ghana since 1992 by involving political parties in local elections?

Exclusivity, inequitable development

Under the Fourth Republic, some national governments discriminated against some regions, districts, constituencies and ethnic groups because they were perceived to be loyal to the political party in opposition or they did not vote for the president in power.

These parts of the country were treated unfairly and denied critical socio-economic interventions.

The distribution of infrastructure facilities was unfair because political considerations took precedence over need and equity. Similar incidents happened in several MMDAs over the years. 

MMDCEs who were partisan in the discharge of their duties starved some communities and constituencies in their Municipalities/Districts of critical development interventions and infrastructure because they were perceived to be loyal to the party in opposition or just because the MPs who belonged to the party in opposition hailed from those communities or constituencies.

The election of MMDCEs on a non-partisan basis will minimise discrimination and promote inclusiveness, as well as equitable development in our MMDAs.

Competence, and integrity of MMDCEs

Political parties do not always give due consideration to competence and integrity when choosing candidates for elections.

Party loyalty, relationship with influential party members and financial might, among other things, sometimes take precedence over competence, morality and integrity.

It is, therefore, highly likely that incompetent MMDCEs could be elected on the ticket of some political parties, especially in MMDAs which are strongholds of particular political parties.

Experience from the Fourth Republic shows that some MMDCEs did not demonstrate competence and integrity while in office.

On the contrary, the election of local authorities, including MMCDEs, on a non-partisan basis has a better chance of attracting competent and morally upright individuals to put themselves up for election.

The outcome would be the election of competent and morally upright persons of integrity to head our MMDAs to the benefit of the electorate.

The writer is a Civil engineer & Local Governance Analyst.

E-mail: emmanuelk55@yahoo.com