Serve as the Face of Central Government at Local Level – MMDCEs Urged

Accra: Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the Vice President, has called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to embody the central government at the local level, serving as leaders, managers, implementers, and mobilisers. She highlighted the critical role MMDCEs play in translating national vision into impactful local actions during the closing ceremony of an orientation and training programme held at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Ogbojo, Accra.According to Ghana News Agency, the training, themed 'Strengthening Local Governance Through the Reset Agenda,' provided MMDCEs an opportunity to delve into governance, leadership, power dynamics, and influence. Professor Opoku-Agyemang emphasized that the appointment of MMDCEs, as outlined in Section 20(1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) as amended, is not a political reward but a serious public trust. She urged them to lead the implementation of government flagship programmes such as the 24-Hour Eco nomy, the Clean Up Ghana Initiative, Adwumawura, and the National Apprenticeship Programme, which are integral to the Reset Agenda.The Vice President underscored that these policies are tools for restoring jobs, accountability, and prosperity, contingent on bold, transformative, and ethical leadership. She acknowledged the imminent challenges like low IGF mobilisation, weak sub-district structures, recurring financial infractions, poor sanitation, underdeveloped local economies, and inadequate gender-responsive development planning, aggravated by illegal mining and climate change. MMDCEs are tasked to address these issues with urgency and innovation.Professor Opoku-Agyemang noted that the government has set clear guidelines on using the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), with each MMDA expected to receive approximately GHS 25 million this year, marking the highest allocation in recent history. Additionally, the government introduced monthly allowances for Assembly Members as per Section 16 of the Loc al Governance Act.She also urged Regional Ministers to leverage Section 188 of the Local Governance Act to strengthen monitoring, coordination, and performance evaluation in their regions. She emphasized the active role of Regional Coordinating Councils in providing administrative and technical support to ensure efficient and transparent operations of MMDAs.Recognising the evolving responsibilities of MMDCEs, the Vice President announced that the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in collaboration with ILGS, will initiate targeted training programmes for continuous development. She encouraged MMDCEs to participate in these capacity-building initiatives to enhance their expertise.She concluded by reminding MMDCEs to align their development priorities with inclusive frameworks, specifically to implement programmes that reflect the provisions of the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024 (Act 1121).