MMDCEs and MPs should avoid turf struggle – Osafo-Maafo

The Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, has cautioned Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) not to engage in turf struggle.

He urged them to rather forge stronger relationships, underpinned by a shared responsibility to bring development and make things better for the people.

The Senior Minister was addressing a day’s seminar on leadership and good governance held in Koforidua for MMDCEs and MPs.

The programme, organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, was under the theme “Enhancing leadership for good governance”.

Mr Osafo-Maafo said there needed to be a good understanding between them to ensure the smooth development of the constituencies, districts, municipalities and metropolitan areas.

He reminded them to provide the right leadership and accept to work with passion to tackle the socio-economic challenges of the people.

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, indicated that the current structure of the local government system required consultation and participation in governance.

He noted that conflicts between MPs and the MMDCEs were often caused by a misunderstanding of the roles they performed.

He called for mutual respect and cooperation towards the building of structures for effective governance at the local level.

Alban Sumani Bagbin, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, said there was evidence to show that MMDCEs, who undermined their MPs suffered the same fate when they became MPs.

He advised MPs and MMDCEs to be truthful to each other to build the trust of the people in politicians.