Former DCE petitions Speaker to clarify MPs’ role in local development

Former Fanteakwa District Chief Executive (DCE) Abass Fuseini Sbaabe has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, calling for clarification of the legal roles of District Chief Executives and Members of Parliament (MPs) in local development planning.

Sbaabe’s petition follows a statement reportedly made by the Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Local Government, suggesting that MPs should determine the siting of government projects because they make campaign promises to constituents, while DCEs lack such political mandate.

Describing the claim as “legally unfounded, administratively misleading, and fundamentally inconsistent with constitutional principles,” Sbaabe argued that it misrepresents the decentralized system of governance established under Ghana’s Constitution.

He said such misconceptions risk confusing the public about the defined powers of DCEs and MPs in district-level decision-making.

Citing Article 240(2) of the 1992 Constitution and provisions of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), Sbaabe reaffirmed that District Assemblies are the highest political and administrative authorities at the local level.

They hold deliberative, legislative, and executive powers to coordinate, approve, and supervise all development activities within their jurisdictions.

“The District Assembly, chaired by the DCE, is the only legally recognized body responsible for coordinating, approving, and supervising development activities within its jurisdiction,” he said. “All projects must conform to the approved Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) of the district, not to individual campaign promises.”

He explained that under Section 20(1) of Act 936, the DCE serves as the President’s representative and oversees the day-to-day administration of the district. MPs, according to Section 16(1)(a), may take part in Assembly deliberations but do not possess voting rights.

“Campaign promises, no matter how well-intentioned, do not constitute binding obligations on the District Assembly or the DCE,” he emphasized.

Sbaabe urged the Speaker to instruct the Committee on Local Government to issue a formal clarification to avert potential conflicts between MPs and DCEs.

He cautioned that allowing MPs’ campaign pledges to dictate project locations could “politicize development, distort equitable resource allocation, and undermine the authority of District Assemblies.”

“Development decisions must remain rooted in law, planning, and community consultation rather than political influence,” he concluded, urging Parliament to act swiftly to preserve harmony in local governance.