Amendment to clause 243 at second reading stage – Deputy Minister | Policy

The amendment to Article 243 (1) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires the President to appoint Chiefs of Metropolitan Areas, Municipalities and Districts (MMDCE) is at the stage of second reading in Parliament.

Once adopted, all WMEDs would be elected by universal adult suffrage after the general elections of 2020, said Thursday Mr. Osei Bonsu Amoah, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

In addition, the bill amending section 55 (3) would also open the door for political parties to sponsor candidates for election to the MMDCE and members of the Assembly.

Mr. Amoah delivered a speech at the opening session of the 20th Biennial Conference of National Delegates of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), currently being held in Abesim, in the municipality from Sunyani.

Members of the Assembly, Presidents, MDLCDs and some Members of Parliament attended the four-day conference on "Ghana Beyond Aid: A Paradigm Shift for Development" the role of local authorities ".
Mr Amoah explained that a referendum to be confirmed by voters for the election of the MMDCE would be held in December this year and called on NALAG to join the campaign to reach the voter turnout of 40 % required with 75% approval.

"We must actively participate in the campaign so that political parties can sponsor their candidates in all public elections, including local elections," he said.

The Deputy Minister noted that, since the Ghana Beyond Aid program could not succeed without effective local governance, it was essential to promote accountability and transparency in local governance, hence the need to the election of MMDCEs.

"The proposed election of the MMDCE is a bold and courageous decision by the government of the new patriotic party, supported by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo," he said, calling on Ghanaians to support the campaign to push the development of the nation to a higher level.

Oboaman Bofotia Boa-Amponsem II, the Krontihene of the Sunyani Traditional Region, commended the government for its social intervention programs aimed at reducing poverty and creating jobs.

He said the proposed election of the MMDCE was going in the right direction and advised Ghanaians to help the government make it a reality.