President John Dramani Mahama has hinted at sweeping reforms in local governance, suggesting that the current model of appointing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) may soon give way to a more democratic, electoral system.
Speaking at an orientation and training programme for MMDCEs on Wednesday, June 18, the President said that proposals from the ongoing constitutional review indicate strong public support for electing MMDCEs rather than appointing them.
“You may be the last batch of MMDCEs to be appointed. There is no doubt that Ghanaians want the MMDCEs elected. Those who succeed you might have to go through elections,” Mahama said, adding that the National Review Committee is expected to submit its final recommendations by August.
In the meantime, President Mahama directed all MMDCEs to declare their assets by July 15, 2025. This, he said, is in line with accountability standards expected of public office holders.
“I wish to remind you that you are among the office holders required to declare your assets, and so I expect that by July 15th, all of you will have complied,” he stated.
The President also highlighted increased fiscal responsibility as a key expectation of his administration. He announced that MMDCEs now have access to an unprecedented 80% of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), and urged them to ensure transparency and efficiency in the use of these resources.
“These are the highest levels of funding transferred to the local level since the Fourth Republic. The funds must be used in the interest of our people. This is not just about governance—it’s about fulfilling our social contract,” Mahama stressed.
The remarks come as part of a broader push by the administration to strengthen decentralisation, deepen democratic participation at the grassroots level, and improve accountability in public office.
