WEST GONJA MUNICIPAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE POSITION, REQUIREMENTS APPOINTING AUTHORITIES SHOULD CONSIDER

 

                                                               

Let me begin by congratulating H. E John Dramani Mahama for the gargantuan and unprecedented victory with a 1.7 million gap and subsequently been sworn in as the sixth democratically elected President of the fourth republic. This victory is one that has cemented an enviable place in the political history of Ghana.

Article 243(1) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana states that "There shall be a district Chief Executive for every district who shall be appointed by the President with prior approval of not less than two-thirds majority of members of the assembly present and voting at the meeting".

The position of Municipal Chief Executive is one that has been topical in the West Gonja Municipality with several names tipped to occupy the prestigious office. It is very important to note that the eventual selection of the MCE for the Municipal Assembly must be done with medical precision to befit the special case of Damongo taking into consideration the following factors:

1. Experience in local Government and Decentralization

2. Current Composition of elected Assembly members in the Assembly

3. Cosmopolitan Composition of the West Gonja Municipality

4. Ability to Galvanize the youth and re-energize party's base for party unity

5. Ability and ready to work with traditional authority and lobby development partners 

EXPERIENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND DECENTRALIZATION

The limited time given to H.E John Dramani Mahama and the NDC to turn the fortunes of the country round for the better requires urgent demand for experienced hands to assist the President steer the affairs at the local government level to ensure accelerated development and growth in the areas of WASH, unemployment, Education, Health, roads and general infrastructure.

COMPOSITION OF ELECTED ASSEMBLY MEMBERS IN THE WEST GONJA MUNICAL ASSEMBLY AND CONCENSUS BUILDING

It is an open secret that the current composition of the West Gonja Municipal Assembly is one that the current government cannot bully its way through because of the number of elected Assembly members who owe allegiance to the NPP. In light of the above the appointing authorities should consider a candidate who has the ability to build concensus with the majority group off Assembly members to support government agenda at the local level.

COSMOPOLITAN COMPOSITION OF THE WEST GONJA MUNICIPALITY

The keyword that resonated and echoed in the inaugural speech of H. E John Dramanai Mahama during the swearing in ceremony was "INCLUSIVITY". With that in mind the choice of MCE should take into consideration the Cosmopolitan nature of the Municipality with much emphasis on "INCLUSIVITY" for the minority tribes who have demonstrated love and loyalty for the NDC over the past years. It must be noted that the emergence of Lawyer Samuel Abu Jinapor in the political landscape of the Damongo constituency has shaken the very foundation of this loyalty by the minority tribes. To curb this canker which has already taking away some support base to the NPP, the choice of MCE must be one that commands endorsement and give re-assurance to the minority tribes that they are recognized in the NDC party.

ABILITY TO KEEP TOUCH WITH THE BASE BY GALVANIZING THE YOUTH TO RE-ENERGIZE THE PARTY'S BASE FOR PARTY UNITY

A very important factor required to win elections is party unity and togetherness in every Jurisdiction. it is therefore very paramount that whoever is eventually settled on as the MCE should have the ability to add to the electoral fortunes of the party by working to woe back members who have taken a back stage as a result of discontent, one who represent the choice and voice of the youth and must be opened to constructive criticism whiles working with constituency executives and other stakeholders as the party strive to win back the Damongo constituency seat from the grips of the NPP.

ABILITY TO WORK WITH TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY AND LOBBY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT

Finally, the choice of a candidate as MCE should be one that recognize the key role Traditional authorities and other other development partners play in community development. the Candidate chosen should therefore be ready to work with traditional authorities who are custodians of the land. He/She must also have experience in lobbying development partners such as NGOs, faith based organizations and Philanthropist for accelerated development in line with the vision of H. E John Dramani Mahama.

The following factors when considered by all involved in the chain of appointing a Municipal Chief Executive will guarantee a credible candidate who will be given the thump of approval by all stakeholders not just in the party but the entire Municipality for accelerated development whiles placing the party in a higher pedestal towards winning elections 2028.

BY: APIU ROBERT BAKURIDUI ( NDC Communications Team Member, Damongo Constituency)