Program Director and Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Star Ghana Foundation, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu has called for a cautious approach to the implementation of the Government of Ghana’s policy on the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, (MMDCEs’) in Ghana.

Speaking on a GJA/STAR-Ghana platform dubbed `WE THE PEOPLE`, Ibrahim-Tanko acknowledged that: “Election of MMDCE will make DCEs accountable to the citizens in the district, it could lead to a more responsive governance…”. He was however quick to add that: “but we need to approach it very cautiously so that we do know what the contradictions are, what the issues are and then we’re able to put in the mechanisms to address them”

Ibrahim-Tanko further indicated that: there is the need to be mindful of how to approach the subject of electing MMDCE’s and issues that may arise as a result, so that the country, in its effort to solve one problem does not create many other bigger challenges.

“Killing one ill must not lead to another ill” he said.

He opined that MMDCE’s are part of a political structure at the assembly level and if that is not making them accountable then the election is the right way to go, however, certain policy interventions must be put in place to address problems that are likely to emerge as a result of the implementation.

“At the national level we have the Auditor General, we have Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, do we have similar structures at the local level to hold the person (DCE) accountable?” he quizzed.

“WE THE PEOPLE”

“WE THE PEOPLE” is an 18-month project of the Ghana Journalists Association, supported by STAR-Ghana Foundation with funding from the UKAid, EU and DANIDA. It is aimed at strengthening media and CSO collaboration for inclusive and accountable local governance in Ghana.

Under the project, the Ghana Journalists Association is carrying out integrated set of media interventions in partnership with civil society actors to foster and strengthen collaboration between them and strategically drive the vehicle of public advocacy in demanding effective accountability from duty-bearers. Among these interventions is a monthly citizen-duty bearer engagement on relevant governance issues. The discussions are broadcasted live on two state owned television Channels: GTV and GTV Govern.

Group photo of participants at the event

This episode – fourth in the series, featured the Programme Director and Acting C.E.O of STAR Ghana Foundation, Amidu Ibrahim-Tanko; Hon. O.B. Amoah – Dep Minister of Local Governance and Rural Development; and Prof Nana Essilfie-Conduah – Political Historian and Chair of Journalism, African University College of Communication. The session was moderated by Eyram Bashan – Media Consultant.