How Akufo-Addo wasted everyone’s time with MMDCE nominations

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For almost ten months the President, Nana Akufo-Addo kept the whole country waiting on him for the list of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) but when he finally made the names available, he had overwhelmingly retained 85 to 90 percent of those he had used in his first four years leaving many Ghanaians disappointed.

The retention of the MMDCEs is not only akin to what the President did by refusing to change his ministers to bring some dynamism and hard work into his government, but it has left many asking why the President wasted everyone’s time including sending New Patriotic Party (NPP) national executives across the country to interview members for the positions knowing he was not going to make any major change.

But the long delay, the suspense and the anticlimax that came with the retention is not much of a problem, than the dire implication this will have for the ruling NPP as well as the government because many of those retained are likely to be rejected during the election by the Assemblymen and women.

There are reports that the delays led to moneys exchanging hands between party members were vetted and the President’s team, with assurances that some of those who applied and got interviewed would be made MMDCEs but with the retentions, there are bound to be confusion in the party as those who made the payments would be demanding back their money.

The minister for Local Government, Dan Botwe at the minister’s press briefing on Sunday, September 19, 2021 indicated that the list has been forwarded to the various regional ministers, and they are expected to contact the Electoral Commission to commence processes for assembly elections on the various nominees.

But already in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region, the Chief and People have rejected the retention of the sitting MCE, Samuel Oduro Frimpong.

In the Atwimaa Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti Region, Michael Awuku Amoah’s re-nomination has also been met with disapproval. Asante Akim South’s Alexander Frimpong’s re-nomination has also been rejected.

Some new faces on the scene are Kennedy Kamkam, a former Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso as the MCE for Asokore Mampong in the Ashanti Region, to take over from Alhaji Alidu Seidu who contested the Asawase seat in the 2020 elections and lost to the NDC’s Alhaji Murtakar Mubarak.

The former Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, Madam Elizabeth Sackey as Mayor of Accra taking over from Mohammed Adjei Sowah, who had served in that position since 2017.

The NPP’s Ashanti Regional Secretary, Sam Pyne as the Mayor of Kumasi replacing Osei Assibey Antwi, who has since been appointment the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme, according to a letter signed by the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Opare, dated September 17, 2021.

Other new faces are Yohane Armah Ashitey for the Metropolitan Area and Salifu Sule for Tamale Metropolitan.

At Chereponi in the North East Region, NPP youths have destroyed some structures after the nomination of Zuwera Mada Nashiru as the District Chief Executive was announced.

The aggrieved youth wanted their favourite candidate, S. K. Orlando, nominated, although he was not recommended for nomination.

The District Police command quickly moved to the scene to restore calm in the area.

“The Chereponi District Police Command upon receipt of the information quickly invited the Chereponi Constituency Chairman, Aliu Sulemana and some of the youth leaders, and after discussing, the Chairman of the youth leaders realized the need to keep the peace and abide by the advice of the police not to proceed with the demonstration. They also promised to go by the Public Order Act and notify the police accordingly, should they intend to organize the demonstration.”

The Police Administration has since deployed personnel nationwide to curb any disturbances following the release of the list. This was made known by the acting Director of Public Affairs, ACP Kwesi Ofori.

ACP Kwesi Ofori had in a Citi News interview said the police will do everything possible to ensure that the country’s peace is not disturbed.

He added that all the 14 police divisions in the Greater Accra Region have been supported with personnel from the Regional Command to ensure they’re up to the task.

“The police administration has directed all the 18 Regional Commanders to make sure that they deploy personnel in the respective regions and ensure that they halt any attempts to disturb the peace of the country.”

“Therefore, the police have increased their presence and visibility, especially in Accra. All the 14 divisions in Accra have deployed personnel across and the region’s command has also given them support, and we are monitoring development closely.”

On Saturday, police arrested four leaders of the Concerned Youth of Odododiodio Constituency, who led a street protest against President Akufo-Addo’s decision to appoint former Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, Elizabeth Sackey, as the next Mayor of Accra.

According to the police, the protesters were arrested for causing public disorder at Jamestown.

“The police have arrested four persons for allegedly causing public disorder at Jamestown in Accra.”

“The four are Salaami Abubakari, 36, Daniel Opare Oman, 43, Edward Holm, 38, and Daniel Clottey, 41 years old. The ringleaders led scores of people to allegedly block a road at Jamestown by burning car tyres, further creating a sense of fear and disorder,” police added in the statement.