Electing DCEs could trigger clashes with president over executive powers – Mahama Ayariga

Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has called for a clear separation of executive responsibilities between the central government and local authorities before Ghana introduces the election of District Chief Executives (DCEs).

He said the proposed reform could create institutional tensions if both the President and elected DCEs are given executive authority within the same geographical jurisdiction without clearly defined boundaries.

Mr. Ayariga made the remarks during his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for his vetting on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

According to him, the debate over elected DCEs goes beyond how they are chosen and must address the constitutional and structural implications of giving them executive powers.

He explained that while the President derives a nationwide mandate to exercise executive authority, an elected DCE would also have a direct mandate from residents within a district.

“When you elect a DCE of a given geographical space, you would have executive powers, and then you now elect assembly members who will have legislative powers,” he said.

Mr. Ayariga said the arrangement could raise questions about the relationship between the two offices, particularly where the President has no control over the person elected to lead a district.

“So, some of the concerns expressed by those who are designing the architecture is, if you elect a president, and then the president doesn’t have control over who is also exercising executive powers in a given location, are you likely to be triggering a conflict between the person elected by the whole country to exercise executive authority and the person elected in a district to also exercise executive authority?” he asked.

He said accountability could also become difficult if responsibilities between the two levels of government overlap.

“Who becomes accountable? That is a structural issue,” he stated.

The minister-designate argued that the way forward was to clearly define the functions of central and local government so that elected DCEs could operate within their assigned mandate.

He said such an arrangement would allow citizens to understand which level of government is responsible for particular decisions and services.

“And so, when we vote him, he doesn’t interfere in the area of executive power. And then the citizens know who to hold accountable for what,” Mr. Ayariga said.