The Minister-Designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has called for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), describing this as the ideal moment to implement the reform.
The debate over electing MMDCEs has persisted for years in Ghana, with proponents arguing that such a move would foster accountability and deepen local-level democracy.
However, disagreements regarding whether the elections should be partisan or non-partisan have hindered progress.
During his vetting before the Appointments Committee on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, Ahmed Ibrahim stressed the importance of a non-partisan approach to MMDCE elections, asserting that it would strengthen local governance and promote equitable development.
“I do agree that MMDCEs must be elected. But I disagree that it must be done on a partisan basis,” he stated. “That is the bone of contention between the two sides of the House. We proposed that MMDCEs be elected on a non-partisan basis, while the other side advocated for a partisan approach.”
Ahmed Ibrahim noted that the public has already been presented with both perspectives and suggested that recent parliamentary election outcomes reflect broad support for the non-partisan model.
“We have 184 members in our caucus, and you have 88. It means Ghanaians overwhelmingly agree with electing MMDCEs on a non-partisan basis,” he said. “I believe that if there is any time for this reform to happen, it is now.”
