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 within 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, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are required to organise town hall meetings twice a year to provide a structured platform for MMDCEs to account to residents for the implementation of government policies, programmes and development initiatives.
The Ministry explained that the MMDA Accountability Series would serve as a follow-up to the Presidential Accountability Series, creating opportunities for direct interaction between local government authorities and citizens.
The engagements are expected to assess the performance of each Assembly against its approved Medium-Term Development Plan and Annual Action Plan, including the implementation of government flagship programmes and the utilisation of public funds such as the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Internally Generated Funds (IGF) and other public resources.MMDCEs will also be required to provide updates on infrastructure and development projects, sanitation and waste management, education, healthcare, social protection, local economic development, revenue mobilisation and expenditure management.
Other areas of focus include employment creation, youth development and skills training, interventions for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups, security, disaster management, and the status of commitments and projects undertaken by the Assemblies.
The sessions will further provide an opportunity for MMDCEs to outline challenges requiring intervention from the Regional Coordinating Councils and the national government, as well as present priorities and commitments for the next implementation period.
The Ministry has emphasised the need for broad-based participation, directing MMDCEs to involve 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, market associations, business groups, professional associations, development partners, community-based organisations, the media and the general public.
According to the directive, adequate opportunities must be provided for residents to ask questions and seek clarification on matters relating to the performance and activities of their respective Assemblies.“All affected MMDAs are to commence preparations immediately and organise their respective accountability sessions within the period to be communicated by the Regional Coordinating Councils,” the directive stated.
It further recommends that the engagements be held within a reasonable period following the Presidential Accountability Series in each region.
The Regional Coordinating Councils have been tasked with coordinating and monitoring the exercise to ensure the participation of all eligible Assemblies while assessing the quality and inclusiveness of the engagements.
The Ministry will also undertake monitoring visits and 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 instructed the Assemblies to make appropriate budgetary provisions within their approved budgets and in accordance with applicable financial management procedures to facilitate the organisation of the sessions.
The Ministry expressed confidence that the initiative would deepen accountability, strengthen citizen participation and enhance public confidence in local governance.
