The Deputy Local Government Minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuije has defended the Ministry’s directive asking Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MMDCEs) to take over the day-to-day administrative functions of their Assemblies.
A press statement issued by the Ministry of Communications noted that “all regional ministers, pursuant to Article 246(1) of the 1992 Constitution the MMDAs stand dissolved by the close of work on 14th March 2015” .
[contextly_sidebar id=”McMvra84JYkDB4AAWLpJGlDqKVBfgNHe”]The statement further indicated that “Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives(MMDCEs) shall be responsible for the day-to-day performance of the executive and administrative functions of their Assemblies under Article 243(2) (b) and (c) of the Constitution and Section 20 (3) (b) (c) and (d) of the Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462).”
The dissolution of the MMDAs has become necessary following the Supreme Court’s order for the scheduled District Assemblies to be called off.
Describing the directive as constitutional, Nii Lantey said “the constitution mandates the tenure of the district assemblies.No one can usurp its authority.”
Speaking on Eyewitness News, he explained that since it will be impossible to extend the tenure of the members of the district assemblies , it sought to “respect the constitution” by taking such a decision.
“We sought to preempt any steps that would lead to litigation we have safeguarded the constitution of Ghana.”
The Local Government Ministry’s decision has drawn massive criticism from some Members of Parliament(MPs), however responding to them , Nii Lante said the same MPs would have “attacked the President if the assemblies had gone a day without heads”
While the Local Government Ministry believes their directive is constitutional, the Center for Democratic Development(CDD) Ghana has described the move as unconstitutional
Speaking on Eyewitness News, Programs Officer, Center for Democratic Development (CDD), PNK Aborampah Mensah said the “local government ministry should have sought Parliament’s approval before taking such a decision.”
He remarked that the constitution does not make “provision for the dissolution of the work of the MMDAs”
PNK Mensah believes the new directive will restrict the functions of the MMDCEs.
He therefore suggested that “a new bill should be brought before the legislature for it to be debated” for the new directive to “function well.”
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah