Governance and public policy analyst Dr Solahudeen Tando has proposed that Members of Parliament (MPs) appoint Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). This model would transfer appointment responsibility from the President to MPs. It aims to avoid creating another layer of public elections for these crucial local government positions.
Dr Tando argues that Ghana’s political culture already sees MPs acting as de facto development agents. Their formal constitutional role is primarily legislative and representative. The proposed system would formalise this reality, making MPs responsible for selecting MMDCEs. These appointments would occur within a regulated professional framework, ensuring clear qualification standards and preventing unchecked political favouritism. This approach seeks to address existing institutional problems in local governance more effectively than additional elections.
This proposal fits into Ghana's ongoing debate about decentralisation and local governance reform. The government's 2026 Position Paper on constitutional reform acknowledged MPs' evolution into development agents. It described this as happening “by default.” Dr Tando's model seeks to structure and regulate this political evolution. It questions whether simply adding more elections truly solves the deeper issues facing local development. The current system often leaves accountability unclear when both MPs and MMDCEs operate in the same development space.
Dr Tando presented his discussion paper, “The Next Frontier of Democratic Decentralisation,” at a National Dialogue in Accra. He questioned the real problem that another election of MMDCEs seeks to solve. He highlighted that constituents already hold MPs accountable for local development outcomes like roads and schools. This happens even though formal responsibility often lies with the District Assembly system. He stated that his proposal seeks to institutionalise an existing political reality rather than create an entirely new role for MPs.
The implications of this model are significant for Ghana’s political landscape and local development. It could shift political accountability closer to the constituency level. Decision-makers will need to consider how this proposal impacts the balance of power between central and local government. It also raises questions about the role of the Public Services Commission in establishing professional specifications for MMDCEs. This approach could ensure competence remains central to the appointment process, aligning with national development planning. The proposal represents a notable departure from both the current presidential appointment system and calls for direct popular elections, prompting a re-evaluation of decentralisation strategies.
The debate over MMDCE appointments is critical for effective public service delivery and local development. Dr Tando's suggestion challenges the assumption that more elections automatically lead to better decentralisation. Instead, he emphasises the need for attention to authority, administrative capacity, resources, planning, coordination, and accountability. This discussion will likely influence future policy decisions regarding Ghana's decentralisation system. It could reshape how local governance functions across the country, impacting citizens directly.