President John Mahama has taken a significant step in reorganizing local governance, and this move is one of his first actions after being sworn in as Ghana’s President on January 7, 2025.
As the newly elected president, he has revoked the appointments of all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives, as well as all appointed Assembly Members nationwide, marking a new era in Ghana’s local governance .
The revocation of the appointments, which is effective immediately, is grounded in the country’s legal framework, specifically the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) and its subsequent amendment, the Local Governance (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act 940), ensuring that the President’s decision is in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.
Dr. Callistus Mahama, in his capacity as Executive Secretary to the President, has formally notified the Chief Director of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development in Accra, via a signed letter, about the revocation of appointments.
This move is a significant development, and as someone who has previously served as the Acting Head of the Local Government Service, Dr. Mahama is well-versed in the intricacies of local governance.
The latest directive is requiring the Coordinating Directors of the various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to take on the role of acting chief executives, at least until new appointments are made.
This means that these Coordinating Directors will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of their respective assemblies, making key decisions, and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
The revocation of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives is a strategic move that’s expected to clear the path for the government to bring in fresh faces and new leadership at the local level.
This change is aimed at aligning with the government’s broader vision of decentralizing power and driving development across the country.