NPP’s Francis Bugase criticises Local Government Minister over MMDCE performance warning
The Minister recently cautioned that non-performing MMDCEs would be removed as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and efficiency within local governance structures.
A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Chiana-Paga Constituency, Francis Bugase, has criticised the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, over his warning that underperforming Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will be dismissed by March 31, 2026.
The Minister recently cautioned that non-performing MMDCEs would be removed as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and efficiency within local governance structures.
However, speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Friday, February 13, Bugase questioned whether the necessary financial resources had been made available to enable Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to perform effectively.
According to him, the Assemblies largely depend on the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) for their operations, and delays or shortfalls in disbursement directly affect their output.
“The Assemblies depend largely on the Common Fund. The NDC promised to provide GH¢7.57 billion for 2025, out of which GH¢6.1 billion was expected to go directly to the Assemblies for their operations. It was around August that these monies were released,” he stated.
Bugase further alleged that prior assurances had been given that each MMDA would receive a minimum of GH¢25 million.
“The Minister, through the Common Fund Administrator, indicated that every MMDA was supposed to receive at least GH¢25 million. We should ask the Assemblies whether they have actually received that amount,” he added.
He argued that the performance of MMDCEs is closely linked to the level of financial and logistical support provided by the central government through the Local Government Ministry.
Bugase accused the Minister of shifting responsibility onto MMDCEs without first ensuring that adequate resources had been made available to them.
“The Minister should not hide behind threats to punish MMDCEs when the necessary support has not been fully provided. If there are shortcomings, leadership at the top must also take responsibility,” he said.
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