Former Minsiter of Local Government, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has condemned the Nana Akufo Addo-led government rush manner in which it sacked the 216 Metropolitan, Municipal and Districts Chief Executives across the country.
According to him, the dismissal of the MMDCEs which he describes as a “coup mentality practice” is most unfortunate, questioning the capacity in which the Minister designate signed a letter relieving the MMDCEs of their position.
The President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo by virtue of Article 243 (3) (b) of the Republic on Thursday revoked the appointments of all Metropolitan/Municipal/District Chief Executive (MMDCEs).
In a letter signed by the Minister Designate for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Hajia Alima Mahama, the president directed all MMDCE’s to hand over relevant duties to Municipal/Metropolitan and District Coordinating Directors and then wait for further instructions.
The letter asked all Regional coordinating Directors to corporate so as to ensure a smooth handover.
But speaking to Citi FM, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo who’s the Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) stated that the manner in which the Chief Executives were kicked out of office could have been well managed.
“I believe that every Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executive know that by now his tenure of office has almost come to an end. But It has to be managed well…it shouldn’t be managed with a coup mentality practice like this. In 2009, I have some issues with the directive that was issued, in what capacity did Hon. Alima Mahama issue the statement. That statement could have been issued by the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the President or the Chief Director at the Ministry of Local government has capacity to issue such statements. I was the substantive Local government minister on the 6th of January 2009, by the 7th of January 2012, I was no longer the minister because a new governmentb had taken over albeit the same, however ex President John Mahama then, expressely wrote a letter of appointment and gave a warrant of office to me as a care-taker minister before substantive appointments are made so there was record and I had that authority.”