I will not hesitate to sack you if you fail to perform – Akufo-Addo to MMDCEs
Newly appointed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives have been cautioned by President Akufo-Addo that he will not hesitate to sack them if they do not effectively execute government policies at the local level.
The president served this word of caution to the MMDCE’s during a four-day orientation program being held for them at Accra International Conference Centre and also charged them to transform the local economy by creating jobs.
The orientation is to afford the 250 out of 261 MMDCE’s the opportunity to acquire the requisite skills and knowledge acquisition and training in local governance to build capacity and deliver government policies to the people.
Nana Otuo Siriboe chairman of the Council of State also advised the MMDCEs to avoid needless confrontations with traditional authorities and opinion leaders.
“Don’t be obsessed by the title honourable. If these things get into your head it will make you more humans than others and that is the beginning of your failure. I wish you success.”
Minister for local government, decentralization and rural development, Dan Botwe challenged the MMDCEs to allow their new role to trigger a better impact for the people in their districts.
President Akufo-Addo however cautioned he will not hesitate to sack any MMDCEs who fails to deliver the government’s policies effectively.
He reiterated this by saying “This position has attracted considerable attention. this is for good reason, you are the pillar of local governance in our country,” Mr Akufo-Addo said.
“The argument that you are not aware of or is not responsible for government initiatives in your localities will not wash with me. You have to familiarise yourself with everything whether of your making or not. A chief executive who is indifferent will be aware of government activities in his or her area is not suitable chief executive officer,” he said.
He disclosed plans to revive his quest to ensure MMDCEs are elected instead of the current nominated format.
The four-day orientation and training under the theme, effective leadership for local transformation and improved service delivery in Ghana, the role of the MMDCEs, seeks to increase awareness of Ghana’s governance framework and the job requirements of MMDCEs.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
