Government proposes election of DCEs through uniform nationwide selection process

By Esther Mateyko Kumah  

Accra, July 30, GNA – The Government has proposed that all District Chief Executives (DCEs) be elected nationwide under a uniform system, rejecting a phased implementation based on districts’ fiscal capacity. 

The proposal forms part of the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee on reforms to local government administration. 

Dr Dominic Ayine, Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, announced the Government’s position on Thursday at the Government Accountability Series in Accra. 

He said the Government had rejected the Committee’s recommendation that only fiscally capable districts should initially elect their District Chief Executives, while other districts continued with appointed chief executives until they met a prescribed financial threshold. 

Dr Ayine said the Government considered the proposed phased approach likely to create disparities among districts and to be perceived as discriminatory, with unnecessary political consequences. 

He said a uniform nationwide system would place all districts on an equal footing, promote equal political participation and ensure consistent implementation of the policy. 

Under the Government’s proposal, the President would nominate five persons for each  

District Chief Executive position, with at least two of the nominees being women. 

A vetting committee comprising representatives of the Ministry responsible for Local Government, the Public Services Commission and the Local Government Service would assess the nominees and shortlist three candidates, including at least one woman, for election. 

Eligible voters in each district would then elect one of the three shortlisted candidates as District Chief Executive. 

Dr Ayine said the proposed arrangement would enhance transparency, competitiveness and gender inclusion while strengthening accountability by ensuring that elected District Chief Executives were directly answerable to the people they served. 

He said the reforms would also strengthen local governance by enabling residents to elect leaders who were responsive to the development priorities and aspirations of their respective districts. 

GNA  

Edited by Kenneth Sackey 

Reporter: Esther Mateyko Kumah