Nyeya Yen backs call for elected MMDCEs, cautions against electoral monetisation
Yen described the current appointment system as lacking in true democratic representation.
Social Justice Advocate Nyeya Yen has joined calls for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), rather than appoint them.
Yen described the current appointment system as lacking in true democratic representation.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Yen voiced strong support for the shift toward elected local government leaders. However, he also issued a stern warning about the growing threat of electoral monetisation and its potential to corrupt grassroots governance.
“I support the idea of electing district chief executives because, in reality, whether we like it or not, these positions are held by party people—even though they claim the system is non-partisan,” Yen said.
While advocating for reform, Yen expressed concern that elections, if introduced without proper safeguards, could worsen issues of vote buying, patronage, and campaign financing challenges already plaguing Ghana’s political landscape.
“My major concern is what money has done to our electoral process. During elections, it’s all about the distribution of money,” He noted, warning that qualified and capable candidates often struggle to compete unless they have financial backing.
He stressed that such dynamics undermine the quality of leadership and compromise the delivery of public services.
“People get elected not because they have the skills… but because they have money. And those who can serve this country well are sidelined because they don’t have the financial resources,” Yen added.
Yen also cautioned that the influence of political sponsors frequently shifts the allegiance of elected officials from their constituents to private interests.
“To get elected in Ghana, you must have somebody who can fund you or you must have money. So, if somebody funds you and you win, you will work in their interest,” He said.
Yen called for comprehensive reforms and robust legal safeguards to ensure that any move toward electing MMDCEs strengthens accountability, promotes community development, and does not deepen corruption at the local level.
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