The Presidency has said it is aware of public concerns about the appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), assuring the public that a list would soon be released.
Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, told journalists at the Jubilee House during a press briefing on Monday, August 30, 2021, that contrary to claims that a lacuna has been created by the delay in appointing new MMDCEs, the local government machinery is functioning well.
"All I can say is that soon the list will come out. I am not in the position to give timelines,†he said.
He said because the President has directed incumbent MMDCEs to continue working there is no break in the work of local government as some have alleged.
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has dragged the Attorney-General to court over the matter.
It is the case of the South Dayi MP that upon the true and proper interpretation of Articles 243(1) and 243(2) of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992, the President has no power or authority to instruct Metropolitan and Municipal District Chief Executives to remain in office.
He argues that, in law, the prior approval of the members of the District and Metropolitan Assemblies is a mandatory pre-condition for the direct, instruct or appoint any person to act or hold office as MMDCE.
When the tenure of the current MMDCEs expired in January this year, President NaNA Akufo-Addo directed them in a January 11 letter to continue to act.
It has been 8 months now and new MMDCEs have not been appointed yet.
This, the South Dayi MP contends contravenes Articles 243(1) and 243(2) of the Constitution.
Commenting briefly on the suit, Eugene Arhin said: “We are in a democracy. We have separation powers. If you feel you have grievances with respect to certain actions taken by the President, you have an avenue to ventilate those grievances. The matter is in court and so let’s leave it in court.â€
Eugene Arhin said appointing MMDCEs is not an easy task.