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 follows a presidential directive dated January 2, 2025, aimed at ensuring transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the vetting and selection process.
In a statement signed by the party’s General Secretary, Hon. Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the NDC has instructed all regional chairmen and secretaries to establish Regional Vetting Committees to oversee the process.
The committees will ensure that only competent, experienced, and constitutionally qualified individuals are considered for the crucial roles of MMDCEs.
Inclusive Vetting Committees
The directive mandates that the vetting committees include representatives from various stakeholder groups. Each committee will comprise the Regional Chairman, Secretary, and Organizer, as well as representatives from the council of elders, former appointees, the women’s wing, and the parliamentary caucus. Two constituency executives, who are not candidates for the MMDCE positions, will also serve on the committees.
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: The directive stresses the need for customary, geographical, and ethnic balance to ensure equitable distribution of political influence. “Due consideration must be given to the customary, geographical, and ethnic composition of each district to ensure a balanced distribution of political power and influence. This approach aims to foster unity and rally the entire district around a common developmental agenda,” the statement read.
- Competence and Experience: The party emphasized that candidates must demonstrate the expertise needed to handle the complex responsibilities of an MMDCE.
“The competence and relevant experience of each applicant should be critically assessed, as these attributes are essential for effectively managing the intricacies and complexities associated with the office of an MMDCE,” he stated.
Call for Cooperation
Hon. Kwetey urged all regional leaders to ensure strict adherence to the directive and emphasized the importance of transparency in the process.
“Please ensure that ALL members of the vetting committee are served with copies of this letter. Your full cooperation and strict adherence to this directive are highly anticipated and appreciated”.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Deborah Amuzu
