The Presiding Member of the Wenchi Municipal Assembly in the Bono Region, Samuel Mensah has described the ongoing nationwide vetting of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive (MMDCE) hopefuls as unnecessary, wasteful and unconstitutional.

He said “the vetting of individuals vying for the posts MMDCE by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has no legal backing since it is not in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and cannot be found in the Local Government Act which gives direction on the appointment of district level representatives”.  

The Presiding Member who is the assembly member for Subinso No. 2 Electoral Area was speaking to his people on issues concerning stalled projects in the area.

He explained that the constitution has already empowered the President with the sole prerogative of appointing MMDCEs without prior vetting as being undertaken by political parties in the past and now.

“This move is alien therefore the President should be allowed to nominate persons suitable for the jobs outright and look, we already have a laborious process in the waiting so why this so-called vetting?” Mr. Mensah questioned.

He said the vetting process is not only a breeding ground for unnecessary tension but also a total waste of time and resources, stressing “it is the major cause of the numerous demonstrations and agitations at the district level against the President's nominees.

Disqualified applicants usually blame their rejection on party executives and the vetting panel, thereby work underground to disapprove of the nominees”.

Mr. Mensah expressed displeasure about the delay in the appointment of MMDCEs since it has halted the progressive development agenda of the various assemblies.

“As assembly members, our people are constantly on our necks to get their community problems fixed but it is virtually impossible for the assemblies to implement the approved annual budget for the 2021 fiscal year due to the absence of the political heads,” he added. 

He was optimistic that some of the assemblies might still not have chief executives even at the end of this year.

The Presiding Member therefore underscore the urgent need for the governing NPP to simply forward the list of MMDCE applicants to President Akufo-Addo for further background checks, nomination and confirmation in order to keep up the pace of development.

Chapter 20 of the 1992 Constitution on decentralization and local government, Article 243(1) says there shall be a District Chief Executive for every district who shall be appointed by the President with the prior approval of not less than two thirds majority of members of the Assembly present and voting at meeting.