Ghana’s Haruna Iddrisu Exposes NDC’s Hidden Agenda in MMDCE Election R

Current Education Minister and former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has publicly disclosed how the National Democratic Congress minority in parliament deliberately sabotaged former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's effort to make Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives elective. Iddrisu made the disclosure at the Second National Dialogue on Decentralisation held in Accra.

NDC Minority's Secret Role in MMDCE Election Row

According to Iddrisu, the minority identified significant gaps in the government's proposed amendments to Article 243(1) of the 1992 Constitution early in the process. Two provisions were left unaddressed: Article 243(3), which preserves the President's authority to dismiss chief executives, and Article 248, which requires local elections to be conducted on a non-partisan basis. The minority chose to say nothing and waited for the mandatory 90-day window for Council of State consultations to expire, effectively killing the reform effort.

Akufo-Addo Administration's Advisors Blamed for MMDCE Reform Failure

Iddrisu placed significant blame on the Akufo-Addo administration's advisors, saying their failure to review the full constitutional framework created the opening the NDC exploited. His remarks underscore the internal contradictions that plagued the MMDCE election agenda, which was a long-standing promise of the Akufo-Addo government but never advanced to a referendum. Critics had long argued that making chief executives elective while leaving presidential removal powers intact would create a structurally incoherent system of local governance.

Cabinet Approves Major Reforms to Ghana's Decentralisation System

In related news, Cabinet had approved major reforms to Ghana's decentralisation system, including plans to end the presidential appointment of MMDCEs. A new Local Governance Bill was expected to be laid before Parliament by the end of 2026, alongside other proposed changes. The reforms also proposed increasing the District Assemblies Common Fund allocation from 5% to 7.5%. These reforms aim to bring about a significant shift in the way local governance is structured and implemented in the country.

Implications of Iddrisu's Revelation

Iddrisu's revelation has shed light on the complex dynamics that played out in parliament regarding the MMDCE election agenda. The move by the NDC minority has been met with criticism from some quarters, with many arguing that it was a deliberate attempt to sabotage the government's efforts. The implications of this move are far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to Iddrisu's disclosure.

Source: Yen Politics