Mahama’s MMDCEs have no locus to act – Minister-designate

The nominee for the position of Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama has outlined the rationale behind government’s decision to sack all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives(MMDCEs) who were appointed by ex-President John Mahama.

According to her, the decision was taken to ultimately reflect the change in government at the national level.

A directive from the Presidency has asked all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the country to vacate their posts and hand over to their Coordinating Directors now.

This was contained in a letter released from the seat of government that stated: “By virtue of article 243 (3)(b) of the constitution of the republic, H.E the president of the republic has revoked the appointment of all MMDCEs with immediate effect. In this regard all MMDCEs are directed to hand over their relevant duties to MMDCEs for further instruction.”

According to the directive, new set of MMDCEs would be announced shortly.

Speaking in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, the Minister designate, Hajia Alima Mahama said the MMDCEs lack the locus to continue acting in their previous capacities at the local level.

“They are appointees of the previous government, so therefore if at the national level there has been a change, we cannot pretend that there is no change in the country. You know everything acts at the local level;the action is at the local level and its precisely because there is change in government, they have no locus to be taking certain decisions. If it is the day to day administration and implementation of activities that the district assemblies have presided on, the staffs are there, and the offices are running as normal. But it is precisely because of they taking specific decisions that is not in tandem with what is the policy outlook of this government.”