A Member of the Council of State and former legislator, E.T. Mensah, has reiterated the need for the election of Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

Speaking at the maiden Greater Accra Presiding Members Conference, he said efforts should be made to revive discourse on the matter.

“I believe that one of these days you should create the platform for us to discuss this subject which is being discussed on all the radio stations, for us to appreciate the benefits that will accrue to us if we should elect our MMDCEs.”

In his view, the current structure of local government isn’t helping development.

“As I keep on saying, when you look at the system and the way it is today and the way we are running it, we are not achieving much,” Mr. Mensah said.

The appointment of MMDCEs is the sole preserve of the President, per Article 243 (1) of the 1992 Constitution.

At the moment, the government has been criticized for the lack of progress in appointing new MMDCEs eight months into a new administration.

In January, President Akufo-Addo directed all MMDCEs to remain at post until new ones are appointed.

The Akufo-Addo administration had initiated moves to democratize the selection of leaders at the local government level.

There was a proposal for the amendment of Article 243 (1) and a further amendment to Article 55 (3) of the Constitution to enable political parties to participate in local level elections.

But the president withdrew these reforms after a lack of bipartisan backing for the referendum to amend Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution.

No reason was given for not moving forward with the amendment to Article 243 (1).