Some residents in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region are calling for transparency in the appointment of government officials ahead of the approval of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) nominee.

They are demanding the publication of the list of the 10 mandatory government appointees in the Assembly to ensure better accountability, good governance, appropriate representation, and quality service delivery.

This development comes as the Keta Municipal Assembly prepares to approve a new MCE. Residents expect the nominee to work hard to restore the area to its former glory and focus on development projects while strengthening the Assembly’s credibility.

Mr. David Akaba, a taxi driver from Kedzikope in Keta, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the demand for transparency was driven by the public’s desire to hold officials accountable and ensure the Assembly serves the people’s interests.

“We all know our various Assembly Members, and we are calling on the authorities to make the list of government appointees public for scrutiny and advice. We need to assess whether the appointments align with the Assembly’s goals and objectives,” he said.

Mr. Akaba emphasized that the Keta Municipal Assembly plays a significant role in the local community. The public’s demand for transparency reflects their engagement and interest in local governance, especially given that the Assembly’s decisions impact education, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, sports, health, and more.

He added that the incoming MCE is expected to drive development and growth in the municipality. The public’s call for transparency, he believes, would influence the appointment process to ensure that the selected appointees are accountable and free from political intimidation.

“Transparency in government appointments is essential for building trust between citizens and their leaders. By making the list of appointees public, the Keta Municipal Assembly can demonstrate its commitment to accountability and good governance. This is what we want — they shouldn’t hide anything,” he said.

Mr. Akaba also argued that some appointees under previous administrations did not contribute meaningfully to the Assembly’s development. He charged the authorities to urgently publish the list for public review.

Madam Celestine Shine Ameko, a trader, also shared with GNA that the Assembly’s development plans — including improvements in the distribution of premix fuel at landing beaches and tourism promotion — would be influenced by the public’s demand for transparency. She noted that the Assembly must balance its development goals with the public’s expectations for accountability.

She suggested that the Assembly engage with residents and address their concerns to build trust and ensure a fair and transparent appointment process.

According to her, the outcome of the appointment process will have significant implications for the future of Keta. The public’s demand for transparency, she believes, will shape the Assembly’s decisions and help ensure that selected candidates are capable and committed to delivering on the major development tasks ahead.

All efforts by the GNA to obtain a response from the authorities regarding the list of government appointees have so far proven futile.

Meanwhile, 32 Assembly Members — comprising 22 elected and 10 government appointees — are expected to hold a confirmation exercise on Thursday, April 10, from 14:00 to 16:00, to either approve or reject Mr. Wisdom Seade, the MCE nominee for the area.