President John Dramani Mahama has directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in regions where he has undertaken the Presidential Accountability Series to organise corresponding accountability engagements in their respective jurisdictions.
The directive, issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, seeks to extend the government’s transparency and accountability agenda from the national and regional levels to local communities.
Under the directive, MMDCEs are to organise town hall meetings twice a year to account to citizens for the implementation of government policies and programmes at the local level.
The Ministry said the MMDA Accountability Series would serve as a follow-through to the Presidential Accountability Series by providing residents with direct opportunities to engage local government authorities on their performance.
The engagements are expected to cover the performance of each Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA) against its approved Medium-Term Development Plan and Annual Action Plan, as well as the implementation of government flagship programmes.
MMDCEs will also be required to account for the utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Internally Generated Funds (IGF) and other public resources.
Other areas to be addressed include infrastructure and development projects, sanitation and waste management, education, health, social protection, local economic development, revenue mobilisation and expenditure management.
The directive further requires MMDCEs to report on employment, youth development and skills programmes, interventions for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups, security and disaster management.
They are also expected to provide updates on the status of Assembly commitments and projects, as well as challenges requiring intervention at the regional or national level.
As part of the engagements, MMDCEs are to present priorities and commitments for the next implementation period, allowing citizens to assess both past performance and planned interventions.
The Ministry has directed that the engagements be broad-based, involving traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members, Unit Committee representatives, religious leaders, organised labour, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups, persons with disabilities and market associations.
Business and professional associations, development partners, community-based organisations, the media and members of the general public are also expected to participate.
The Ministry stressed that adequate opportunity must be provided for members of the public to ask questions and seek clarification on matters relating to the performance and activities of their respective MMDAs.
All affected MMDAs have been directed to begin preparations immediately and organise their accountability sessions within the period to be communicated by the Regional Coordinating Councils.
The Ministry said the sessions should preferably be held within a reasonable period after the Presidential Accountability Series in each region.
The Regional Coordinating Councils have been tasked with coordinating and monitoring the exercise, ensuring that all eligible MMDAs participate and assessing the quality and inclusiveness of the engagements.
The Ministry will also undertake monitoring visits or participate in selected sessions as part of its oversight responsibilities.
Describing the exercise as a “priority accountability and citizen-engagement assignment”, the Ministry directed MMDCEs to personally lead the process in their respective jurisdictions.
It also directed MMDAs to make appropriate budgetary arrangements within their approved budgets and in accordance with applicable financial management procedures to facilitate the organisation of the engagements.
The Ministry said it expects the exercise to promote open, citizen-centred engagements, deepen accountability and strengthen public confidence in local governance.
