“Coordinating Directors acting as MMDCEs is illegal” – President of Chamber of Local govt reacts to Mahama’s appointments

The President of the Chamber of Local Governance, Richard Fiadomor, has raised concerns over President John Dramani Mahama’s directive for Coordinating Directors to assume acting roles as Chief Executives of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDCEs).

Speaking to Prime News on ABC News Gh on Wednesday, January 8, Fiadomor described the move as unconstitutional, citing a prior Supreme Court ruling.

“For that clause, respectfully, I’m sorry to say it is an illegality,” Fiadomor remarked, referring to the President’s directive.

Supreme Court Precedent

Fiadomor highlighted a similar situation during President Akufo-Addo’s second term when he revoked the appointments of MMDCEs in 2017 and directed them to act in their roles until replacements were appointed.

“If you will recall, the Supreme Court ruled that Akufo-Addo acted illegally when he appointed MMDCEs in an acting capacity after their term expired. The Court was clear: such actions are unconstitutional,” Fiadomor stated.

He further explained that beyond the Supreme Court ruling, allowing Coordinating Directors to act as MMDCEs disrupts the separation of powers meant to ensure accountability in local governance.

“The Chief Executives are the approving authority, while the Coordinating Directors are the spending authority. It’s for the sake of checks and balances that the one approving is not the one spending. If the President asks the one spending to also approve, then the President is invariably promoting corruption at the local level,” Fiadomor cautioned.

Calls for Amendment

Fiadomor urged the government to revise this directive and clarify the transition process. “We are looking forward to seeing an amendment in the coming days.

The Chief Executives should hand over to the Coordinating Directors without placing them in acting capacities, which the law deems illegal,” he added.

Background

President Mahama, shortly after being sworn in as Ghana’s 6th President, revoked the appointments of all MMDCEs and Assembly Members.

The decision was announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, Ph.D.

The statement explained that the move was part of efforts to reorganize local governance for greater accountability and efficiency. It also directed Coordinating Directors to act as Chief Executives until substantive appointments are made.

“In the interim, the respective Coordinating Directors of the various MMDAs are directed to assume responsibilities as acting Chief Executives until substantive appointments are duly made,” the statement read.

Fiadomor’s reaction raises questions about the legal and governance implications of the directive, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s prior ruling.