Mahama releases second batch of District Chief Executive nominees

**Mahama Releases Second Batch of District Chief Executive Nominees**

On April 5, 2025, the presidency announced a second batch of nominees for District Chief Executives (DCEs). This list includes nominees from several regions: Bono East, Bono, Upper West, Western, Central, Upper East, Northern, and Ashanti.

Richard Ofori Boadi has been nominated as the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Kumasi. These nominations require approval from their respective district assemblies.

President John Mahama previously nominated DCEs for eight regions on March 26. The new appointments aim to strengthen local governance by filling key leadership roles across the country.

Nominees will officially take office once they receive approval from their assemblies.

**Mahama's Vision for Local Government**

During his presidential campaign, Mahama criticized the Akufo-Addo administration. He claimed it had re-centralized local government. This led to delays in resource transfers and poor local participation.

In his manifesto for the 2024 election, Mahama promised to decentralize local government. He proposed paying monthly allowances to all assembly members. Additionally, he wants to amend the constitution to allow non-partisan elections for district chief executives.

**Structure of Local Government in Ghana**

Ghana's local government consists of three types of assemblies: metropolitan, municipal, and district. There are also sub-district structures like councils and committees that support these assemblies.

The constitution enshrines local government and decentralization. It mandates measures to ensure public participation in decision-making at all levels.

The District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) is established by law. It requires that at least 5% of Ghana's total revenues be allocated for district assembly projects.

**MMDCEs Sacked by Mahama**

In January 2025, Mahama dismissed all Chief Executives from the previous administration. Directors of various districts were expected to lead temporarily until new appointments were made.

Mahama has not yet appointed new heads for these local governments.