The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has sacked 24 District Chief Executives across the country.
The dismissal was announced in a letter signed by the President, dated Friday, February 2, 2024 addressed to the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe.
“I write to inform you that I have revoked the appointments of the following persons as District Chief Executives,” the letter stated.
The President, in revoking the appointments, acted in accordance with Article 243(3)(b) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20(3)(b) of the Local Government Act, 2016, (Act 936).
The axed DCEs include – Martina Appiah Nyantakyi – Ahafo Ano North; Nii Larteh Ollenu – Amansie West; Daniel Owuredu – Nkoranza South; Alhaji Abdulai Adams – Pru East and Gmasombe Jerome Kofi Gyimah – Sene East.
Others are Joseph Aidoo – Awutu Senya West; Samuel Kwame Agyekum – Asuogyaman; Seth Asante – Atiwa West; Comfort Asante – New Juaben North; Isaac Kwadzo Buabeng – Nsawam-Adoagyiri; Daniel Alexander Nii-Noi Adumua – Adentan; and Mohammed Bashiru Kamara – Ga Central.
The list continues with Elizabeth Kaakie Mann – Ga East, Patrick Kwesi Brako Kumor – Weija Gbawe, Rashida Mahama – East Mamprusi, Emmanuel Jalulah Kajal – Krachi West and Lenwah Bright Kwame – Nkwanta South.
The rest are Losina Barikisu – Sawla – Tuna-Kalba, David Akologo Amoah – Bolga East, Tahiru Issahaku Ahmed – Bawku West, Ayisha Batong Hor – Sissala West, Seth Kwasi Agbi – South Tongu, Patrick Hockson Amponteng – Amenfi Central and Dorcas Elizabeth Amoah – Nzema.
The President did not state what necessitated the mass dismissal, though this is not unconstitutional.
However, unconfirmed reports indicate that the alleged bad attitudes of some DCEs may be a contributing factor.
The dismissal is also coming barely a week after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) held its parliamentary primaries in its safe constituencies.
The party warned DCEs ahead of the polls not to contest sitting MPs or openly campaign for or support a candidate against any incumbent.
The Chronicle cannot independently confirm that some of the affected local appointees flouted the directives, leading to their being shown the exit.
REPLACEMENT
The Chronicle has also sighted and read another letter dated Saturday, February 3, 2024 nominating new individuals to fill the vacancies created the previous day.
President Akufo-Addo again addressed the letter to the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe and informed him about the replacements.
The new nominees include – Prince Dormaa Amoah – Ahafo Ano North; Oscar Asare Andoh – Amansie West; Dr. Amoateng Augustine Kwasi – Nkoranza South; Mohammed Haruna – Pru East; Samson Gbolu – Sene East and Moses Arhinful Acquah – Awutu Senya West.
Others are Nana Kweku Abban – Twifo Heman Lower Denkyira; Mavis Opokua Akonnor – Asuogyaman; Paddy Amponsah Douglas – Atiwa West; Prof. Edward Asante Antwi – New Juaben South; Owusu Arthur Emmanuel – Nsawam Adoagyiri; and Ebenezer Doku – Adentan.
It also includes Ambrose Tsegah – Ga Central, Deborah Ampofo – Ga East, Michael Danquah – Weija Gbawe; Issah Chimsi Abdulai – East Mamprusi; Bulator Kwaku Patrick – Krachi West;
Felix Owusu Gyimah – Nkwanta South and Jacob K. Dumakawe – Sawla-Tuna-Kalba.
The rest are Agana Albert Akugre – Bolga East; Anania Daniel Atampuba – Bawku West; Mahamud Forkah – Sissala West; Zuh Walter Wogbemase – Adaklu; and Innocent Lynford Kwesi Tetteh – South Tongu; Alex Baidoo – Amenfi Central and Eric Essien – Nzema East.
It is, however, not clear whether this development is a sign of a major tsunami in the coming days to shake the other appointees of the Akufo-Addo government.
By Maxwell Ofori & Naabenyin Joojo Amissah
