Chairman of the Council of State, Edward Korbly Doe Adjaho, has urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to take their roles seriously and work hard to bring development to their districts.
He emphasized that the government’s Resetting Agenda is a call to return governance to the local level and ensure progress begins at the grassroots.
Addressing MMDCEs at the Orientation Workshop
Mr. Adjaho made this appeal at an orientation workshop for newly confirmed MMDCEs at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Madina, near Accra. The week-long programme was officially opened by President John Dramani Mahama.
The workshop runs under the theme: “Strengthening Local Governance Through the Reset Agenda,” which reflects the focus of the NDC’s 2024 Manifesto; Resetting Ghana: Jobs, Accountability and Prosperity.
Core Values: Discipline, Integrity, and Accountability
Mr. Adjaho urged the MMDCEs to lead with discipline, integrity, and sound resource management. He reminded them that they serve as the direct link between citizens and the state.
“You are not just policy implementers. You represent the government where it matters most,” he said. “Your conduct and how you respond to the public will shape how Ghanaians judge this administration.”
Public Trust Under Pressure
He warned that the MMDCEs are assuming office at a time when public trust in leadership is low. Citizens are more engaged and demanding greater transparency and results from government officials.
“These concerns are visible in the national debate around the 2018 Constitutional Amendment Bill, commonly called the MMDCEs’ Election Bill,” Mr. Adjaho noted.
He credited President Mahama and the NDC’s leadership for preventing that bill from passing. “If it had gone through, some of you would not be in office today,” he added.
A Moment of Responsibility
Mr. Adjaho said the orientation was more than a formality. “This is a time to reflect on the responsibility you carry as local leaders and representatives of the President,” he said. He encouraged the MMDCEs to ask questions, learn with purpose, and always ensure their actions benefit the public.
“You hold a pivotal role,” he concluded. “Lead with vision, discipline, and a deep commitment to serve.”
