Local Gov’t Minister condemns agitations against President’s MMDCE nominees
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, on Friday expressed dismay over recent agitations that characterized some nominations for the position of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMCE) by the President.
He described the development, which he said, was creeping into the body politics of the country, as distasteful and disturbing.
He therefore entreated those behind the protestations to put a stop to it, saying, the President had the prerogative to nominate anyone as the MMCE.
Mr. Oppong-Fosu expressed these sentiments during a swearing-in ceremony of the first batch of MMCEs approved by their respective Assemblies at Sekondi.
Seven MMCEs swore the Oath of Allegiance, Secrecy and the Official oath, which was conducted by the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Ebenezer Kwadow Teye Addo.
They were Mr. Daniel Kamatu Eshun, Ellembelle, Mrs. Christina Kobina, Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Mr. Wisdom Robert Cudjoe, Prestea-Huni Valley and Mr. Victor Samuel Meisu, Wassa Amenfi West.
The rest were Mr. Stephen Baidoe Acheampong, Wassa Amenfi East, Mr. Oscar Ofori Larbi, Sefwi Aowin and Mr. Peter Nkuah, Sefwi Akontombra.
Mr. Oppong-Fosu condemned acts of violence and vandalism that greeted some of the President’s nominations, and entreated anyone, who was unhappy with the nominations to channel his or her concerns through the appropriate quarters for redress.
He tasked the new MMCEs to work assiduously to reflect the confidence reposed in them by President John Mahama, in order to accomplish the “Better Ghana Agenda”.
He said all the sector ministers had signed the Presidential Performance Contract with the President, and added that, the implementation of policy initiatives under his Ministry largely depended on the performances of the MMCEs.
The Local Government Minister cautioned the newly sworn-in MMCEs that, anyone who fails to perform to expectation would be fired and urged them “to pull their weight” to meet the set targets.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr.Ebenezer Kwadwo Teye Addo, admitted that the team that went round to monitor the confirmation of the MMCEs had a hectic time convincing some assembly members to approve the nominees.
He therefore, tasked the newly appointed MMCEs to learn lessons from the past and work harder to meet the aspirations of the people.
“You should demonstrate that you are capable of delivering efficient services to the people, because your position is being sought after by many people in the district therefore you must not disappoint the President”, he stressed.
He advised them not to lord over their constituents but rather make themselves accessible and let their words and decisions be above partisanship and parochial interest.
The Regional Minister entreated them to exhibit humility, maturity and discipline in all their endeavours, saying, “You should be innovative and work as a team with all the stakeholders in the district to propel the development agenda of your respective districts forward”.
Mr. Osca Ofori Larbi, District Chief Executive for Aowin, on behalf of his colleagues, assured that they would work hard to justify the confidence reposed in them by the President.
He expressed profound gratitude to the President, the sector Minister, the Regional Minster and their respective assembly members for giving them another mandate to serve the people.
Source: GNA