MMDCEs need space to settle and operate

Mixed reactions by members of the public, especially assembly members, and New Patriotic Party functionaries, greeted President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s nomination of people to the offices of metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs) early this year.

Practically speaking, the current crop of MMDCEs have a little over a year to stay in office as they shall be subjected to elections by all qualified voters in their respective localities next year when Ghanaians will for the first time go to the polls to elect their MMDCEs. This will replace the current arrangement which gives that responsibility to assembly members alone. Obviously, some of them would retain their seats while others would not depending on one’s performance.

Several hundreds of competent and faithful servants of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) jostled and lobbied the corridors of power to catch the President’s eye in order to be appointed to the office of the MMDCE, but at the end of the day only 216 people were chosen.

Now that the dust has settled and they have assumed office officially, all hands must be on deck to enable them to confront and solve the major challenges facing us at the local level, especially in areas such as sanitation, revenue mobilisation, job creation and security, among several others.

Time for  work

The task ahead, undoubtedly, is daunting but with a focused mind and teamwork none of the challenges is insuperable. MMDCEs must not turn their offices into party offices where party matters are dissected and digested but rather use their good offices to champion the development of the people bearing in mind that in about a year time they will face the electorate in what could be described as a “Justify your inclusion contest” as their continuous stay in office will be determined by the broader masses and not a selected few (i.e. assembly members). You will be measured by your deed or what you achieved under your stewardship.

MMDCEs must draw a clear and distinct line between what constitutes party work and what constitutes official business and try to draw a balance between the two. This way, the friction and acrimony which sometimes arise between the party leadership (especially at the constituency level) and some MMDCEs could be brought under control.

Party functionaries must give them space to discharge their constitutionally mandated duties. To paraphrase what the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, said at the swearing-in of 24 MDCEs, people must avoid making outrageous demands from the MMDCEs because such demands when not met could create problems for all of us.

Those of us who get up in the morning and the first thing is to go to the residence or the office of the DCE to collect “chop money”, school fees, etc. must put an end to that practice because it is not the core responsibility of a District Chief Executive to give “chop money” to people in his district and also pay their children’s school fees.

Party executives and party functionaries must give the MMDCEs all the encouragements, support and avoid putting undue pressure on them to take decisions which could be inimical to the development of the people.

Be meticulous

 MMDCEs, shine your eyes very well and be as meticulous as you can in your day-to-day work, especially when it comes to the award of contracts. Make sure you adhere to the procurement laws of the land in order not to be caught in any web and end up embarrassing yourself and the President.

Also, be guided by your friend or colleague DCE for Upper Denkyira West, whose “provocative” comments landed him on suspension. I will urge you to cross-check your facts before you finally make public statements on issues of national concern.

Staying on top of issues

One thing MMDCEs, ministers and other government functionaries must note is that if they get up in the morning and receive a call by a radio or television station asking them  to comment on an issue in a newspaper which they have not seen or read about, nothing  stops them from asking the caller to call back in some minutes later so that they take their time to conduct some checks on the issue before making any official pronouncements. They are not under any obligation to speak just because a journalist or a presenter of a radio or television station has called for comments on an issue.

Keep yourselves abreast of all the flagship policies of the government – free Senior High School, one-district, one-factory, planting for food and jobs campaign, planting for jobs and investment, which will soon be introduced officially by the President later this year, as well as the one million dollars per constituency and the many other laudable programmes and policies which are primarily meant to expand the economy, create jobs, create wealth and ultimately improve the living conditions of the ordinary Ghanaian at Jema, my hometown, and the rest of the country.              

The writer is a Public Relations & Media Practitioner.

Writer’s E-mail : boahen2018@gmail.com