Ishmael Mensah Blog of Tuesday, 14 January 2025
Source: Ishmael Mensah
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a detailed directive to guide the selection and appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the country.
This comes after a January 2, 2025, presidential directive that sought to guarantee the selection and vetting process's openness, equity, and inclusivity.
The NDC has directed all regional chairmen and secretaries to form Regional Vetting Committees to supervise the procedure, according to a statement issued by Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the party's general secretary.
For the vital positions of MMDCEs, the committees will make sure that only capable, seasoned, and constitutionally qualified candidates are taken into consideration.
Inclusive Vetting Committees
Representatives from a range of stakeholder organizations must be on the vetting committees, according to the directive. In addition to representatives from the legislative caucus, the women's wing, the council of elders, and past appointees, each committee will include the regional chairman, secretary, and organizer. The committees will also include two constituency executives who are not running for the MMDCE posts.
Guidelines for Candidate Selection
The NDC outlined four key criteria for assessing applicants:
* Proof of Membership: All applicants must provide verifiable proof of membership in the NDC. “All applicants must provide verifiable proof of membership in the party,” the statement noted.
* Constitutional Eligibility: Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria stipulated in Article 94(3)(c) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
Diversity and Balance: In order to guarantee a fair allocation of political power, the directive emphasizes the necessity of maintaining ethnic, geographic, and customary balance.
To guarantee a fair allocation of political power and influence, much thought must be given to each district's customs, geography, and ethnic makeup.
The statement said, "This strategy seeks to promote unity and unite the entire district around a shared developmental agenda." Experience and Competence: The party stressed that candidates must exhibit the knowledge and skills required to manage the intricate duties of an MMDCE.
"To effectively manage the complexities and intricacies associated with the office of an MMDCE, it is imperative that each applicant's competence and relevant experience be critically evaluated," he said.
Call for Cooperation
Hon. Kwetey underlined the significance of process transparency and encouraged all regional leaders to guarantee rigorous adherence to the instruction.
"Please make sure copies of this letter are distributed to EVERY member of the vetting committee. We really hope and appreciate your cooperation and rigorous obedience to this directive.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Deborah Amuzu