President John Dramani Mahama has issued a directive to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in regions where he has undertaken the Presidential Accountability Series. The directive, from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, aims to extend the government's transparency and accountability agenda to local communities. MMDCEs are tasked with organising corresponding accountability engagements within their jurisdictions.
The MMDA Accountability Series will provide a platform for MMDCEs to account to citizens for policy and programme implementation at the local level through bi-annual townhall meetings. The exercise will serve as a follow-through to the Presidential Accountability Series, translating national-level engagements into direct interactions between local government authorities and residents. This will foster a culture of transparency and accountability.
The engagements will cover MMDA performance against approved Medium-Term Development Plans and Annual Action Plans, implementation of government flagship programmes, and utilisation of public resources. MMDCEs will account for infrastructure and development projects, sanitation, education, health, social protection, local economic development, revenue mobilisation, and expenditure management. This will enable citizens to assess MMDA performance and priorities.
The directive requires MMDCEs to account for employment, youth development, skills programmes, interventions for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups, security, and disaster management. They must also present priorities and commitments for the next implementation period, giving citizens an opportunity to assess past performance and planned interventions. This will ensure citizens are informed and engaged.
The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs stressed that engagements must be broad-based, including traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members, and civil society organisations. The directive requires adequate opportunity for members of the public to ask questions and seek clarification on MMDA performance and activities. This will promote inclusivity and transparency.
Affected MMDAs are directed to commence preparations immediately and organise accountability sessions within a period to be communicated by the Regional Coordinating Councils. The Regional Coordinating Councils will coordinate and monitor the exercise, ensuring all eligible MMDAs participate and assessing the quality and inclusiveness of engagements. The Ministry will also undertake monitoring visits or participate in selected engagements.
The directive described the exercise as a "priority accountability and citizen-engagement assignment" and directed MMDCEs to personally lead the process in their jurisdictions. MMDAs have been directed to make budgetary arrangements within their approved budgets to facilitate the organisation of engagements. The Ministry looks forward to comprehensive, open, and citizen-centred engagements that will deepen accountability and strengthen public confidence in local governance.
Key points
- President Mahama directs MMDCEs to hold bi-annual accountability engagements with citizens
- Engagements will cover MMDA performance, policy implementation, and utilisation of public resources
- MMDCEs are tasked with personally leading the accountability process in their jurisdictions
