Volta: President John Dramani Mahama has nominated 17 individuals, including 14 men and three women, for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) positions across various constituencies in the Volta Region. The nominations cover all MMDCEs except for the Kpando district, which remains pending.
According to Ghana News Agency, the nominees include Stephen Adom for Ho Metropolitan Assembly, Prosper Kumi for Hohoe Municipal, and Revend Martin Amenaki and Nicholas Kwabla Worlachie for Ketu North and South districts, respectively. Additional nominees include Wisdom Bondieu Seade for Keta, Jerry Yaw Ameko for Adaklu, Manfred Tawia for Afadzato South, Alfred Klu Odikro for Agortime-Ziope, and Bless Kodjo Katamani and Daniel Dagba for Akatsi North and South.
Further nominations feature Dodzi Mornyie Addison for Central Tongu, Prosper Francis Dussey for Ho West, Courage Kwame Kokroko and Ernest Adevor for North Dayi. The three female candidates nominated are Sandra Seyram Kpedor for Anloga, Victoria Amefadzi Yawa Doe for North Tongu, and Victoria Dzeklu for South Dayi.
Dr. Richard Fiadomor, a Local Governance Expert, expressed concerns about gender balance in an interview with the Ghana News Agency. He encouraged increased female participation in politics and other social programs. Dr. Fiadomor congratulated the nominees and urged assembly members to base their endorsements on competence, hard work, and experience, avoiding political and partisan bias.
He emphasized the importance of the regional and national vetting committee's role in interviewing and selecting the best candidates. Dr. Fiadomor cautioned assembly members against soliciting bribes from nominees, reiterating their responsibility to endorse or reject nominees based on merit.
Residents engaged by the GNA expressed concerns about the low number of female nominees and called for more competent women in government positions to ensure gender equity. The nomination process by President Mahama aligns with Article 243 of the 1992 constitution and the Local Governance Act, 2016, as amended in 2017.
The government has yet to announce the date for assembly members to vote on the nominees' endorsements.
