By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
Kpone, Oct. 3, GNA-A section of Ghanaians in Kpone, Ashaiman, Nungua, and Tema have called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) vying for Member of Parliament (MP) seats to step down from the position.
With barely two months to the December 7 general election, a number of MMDCEs are still leading the affairs of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), raising issues of incumbency abuse and use of assembly programmes and funds for personal gains.
According to the concerned electorates, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in a random survey, such chief executive officers should have stepped down before filing their nominations to contest the election as parliamentary candidates.
They explained that the MMDCEs were supposed to be neutral and impartial in their positions and implement government policies at the local level, which would require time, effort, and collaboration between their office and stakeholders.
They stressed that the district would be development-starved if the MCEs embarked on a different journey than what they were expected to do.
They explained that the stepping down of the MCEs would demonstrate commitment to upholding the principles of good governance and ensure that the electoral process was free from influence to set a positive precedent for Ghana’s democratic system.
They noted that it was not right to have an MMDCE heading the area’s security council and overseeing security issues in the constituency when he or she is also a candidate in the elections.
Ms Hajia Fati Tahiru, a seamstress in Ashaiman, said, “Pursuing parliamentary seats demands significant time and resources; MMDCEs may divert attention from their current responsibilities, impacting local governance effectiveness. Their focus could shift from serving the local community to campaigning for a national role.
Mr Mahmud Ahmed, a driver, said, “Holding positions as chief executives, may lead to conflicting roles between their current duties and their parliamentary ambitions, making them prioritise constituencies they are vying for over the others in their district.”
In Tema, Ms Felicia Edem Kpodo, a cloth dealer, stated, “Most of us don’t know the laws covering these issues, and unfortunately, agencies responsible for teaching us are also quiet. I don’t understand why these institutions are quiet, knowing that it is not right for MMDCEs in office to contest for the position of MP.”
Mr Ibrahim Yaya Musah, a home appliance seller, stated, “If we leave everything in the hands of politicians, they will misuse our resources, move out of the country with their relatives, and leave the ordinary ones, working and contributing to the development of the country, to suffer. Politicians always find ways to take advantage of the system; MCEs must step down; they must step down with immediate effect or stop contesting for MP positions.”
In Kpone, Madam Florence Heyman, a caterer, noted that “they are refusing to resign because stepping down will prevent them from getting funds to run their campaign as they sometimes use incomes generated from the assembly’s taxes to run their campaigns.”
She added that “they also want to maintain their position as MCEs so that if they do not win the elections, but their political party does, they will still have the position.”
Mr Francis Teye, a teacher said, “The situation would result in conflict of interest, slow down development, and lead to misuse of public funds.
“Implementation of laws in the country is very poor, and the politicians are riding on it for their success; MCEs are not supposed to contest to be MPs while they are still in power, and they know it.”
In Nungua Addogono, Mr Gabriel Ashitey, a nurse, said, “The leaders must adhere to the principles of democracy, obey the laws governing the country, and set good examples for their followers to learn from them. I feel the Constitution needs to be amended because it has given too much power to politicians.
GNA