Elected MMDCEs will be more accountable to their electorates – Hajia Alima Mahama

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama, says a dispensation where Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are elected will make them more accountable to their people.

The minister who was speaking on Citi FMs 'Point Blank' said she is more convicted that elected MMDCEs will respond better to the interest of their people.

“The DCEs will be more accountable to the people. I believe that if you elect a person the person responds better to your interests,” she indicated.

Drawing a comparison between MMDCEs and MPs, the Member of Parliament for Nalerigu Constituency said whilst the two groups are to ensure the development of their people, the former will be put in a better position when they are elected.

“If you look at MPs for example, MPs in the communities try to push for development, try to meet the needs of the people and it is because they are elected. The DCEs too are supposed to do that but electing them will put them in a better position to do that,” she added.

She said under the current situation where MMDCEs are appointed by the president, there exist the potential for citizens to feel their chief executives exist to only do them a favour.

She added that being an elected MP she is always required to respond to the needs of her people knowing that she will have to go back to them for their votes in the future.

“I go home and at 6 am someone comes to see me, I may feel why is this person coming to see me this early? But I will quickly go out to see them because I am anticipating that I will go back for a vote. As DCE you don’t necessarily have that kind of relationship, you go to see him and he only sees you at when it is convenient for him,” she explained.

The minister then emphasised that electing MMDCEs remains the best way to go in terms of ensuring development and accountability since elections have proven to be the best governance tool that exists.

Commenting on the position of the National House of Chiefs on the December 17 Referendum, the minister said the position taken by house is an unfortunate one which could have been handled in a better way.

She stated that the Council could have sought the attention of the president to offer their advice on the matter or they could have better still made their concerns on the issue known to the president through her ministry.